In fact, taking into account the variables involved, in the base scenario which envisages an increase of 1.4% in the population over the decade and 1.8 in the frequency of users, gross pharmaceutical expenditure would increase by 9.4%. But in the highly probable hypotheses, even if the epidemiologists are not overwhelmed, of a worsening of health conditions, the growth in spending would further double (+18.4%). However, the greatest boost would come from the increase in the propensity to consume (+33.3%) and from the increase in average prices (+83.9%). Adding all the variables in this way, we would arrive at the most pessimistic scenario, i.e. an increase in total expenditure of 142.7%. A disturbing scenario from which it emerges that the aging of the population is not the main cause of the increase in spending. An aspect taken up by Nerina Dirindin, councilor for health of the Sardinia region, and also a health economist, according to whom the elderly are a resource and aging should not be dramatized. Instead, we should dwell on some serious shortcomings of our country in terms of the social fund and assistance to the non self-sufficient. On the other hand, Minister Sirchia has no doubts as to the person responsible for the increase in pharmaceutical spending. "Pharmaceutical companies do not know how to propose a real drug policy, they just ask, without ever taking any risks - said the minister - They do not produce any new molecules, but pass off modifications of old molecules as innovations only to obtain higher prices". And so on. There was no lack of a hard-nosed response from the president of Farmindustria: "In three years this government has been able to take nine measures against the pharmaceutical industry, on prices or on fiscal aspects". If these are the premises for dialogue, for long-term policies that take into account all the variables involved and their future effects, hoped for by Mapelli, there is no need to be too calm.
Of Marco Malagutti
Of Marco Malagutti
Source
Press conference, Milan, 14 February 2005
From www.dica33.it
Press conference, Milan, 14 February 2005
From www.dica33.it
