The net pharmaceutical expenditure paid by the NHS continues to fall which, in the first eight months of 2009, recorded a decrease of -0.2% compared to the same period last year, against an increase in the number of prescriptions of + 2.9%.
The increase in the number of prescriptions, which has been constant for some years now, can probably be related, among other things, to the drop in the number of hospitalizations, which decreased by -1.7% in 2008, as a result of greater use of pharmaceutical assistance territorial.
In the period January-August 2009 there were over 377 million prescriptions, equal to 6.33 prescriptions for each citizen. Over 690 million packs of medicines dispensed by the NHS, with an increase of +2.9% compared to the same period in 2008. Every Italian citizen collected an average of 11.6 packs of medicines from the pharmacy by the NHS.
In the month of July In 2009, the net pharmaceutical expenditure under the NHS contract decreased by -2.1% compared to July 2008, while the number of prescriptions increased by +2.9%; in the month of August spending decreased by -2.2%, while the number of recipes increased by +3.6%.
The expenditure trend in the first eight months of 2009 is the result of a constant increase in the number of prescriptions and a simultaneous drop in the average value of the prescriptions themselves (-3.1%): more medicines are prescribed, but with an average price higher Bass.
This result is due to the reductions in the prices of medicines launched by the Government and AIFA starting from 2006 (most recently that of the 12% on generic medicines SSN, in force since 28 May 2009), to the growing impact of the reference price for medicines equivalent, following the progressive expiry of important patents and the measures applied at the regional level. Among the latter, the extension in various Regions of the reference reimbursement for proton pump inhibitors (measures which, as required by law no. 222/2007, can no longer be introduced); the reintroduction (Abruzzo, Campania, Lazio and, from 8 May 2009, Calabria) or the heavier (Sicily) of the ticket; the direct distribution or through pharmacies of medicines purchased by the local health authorities
Source "Federfarma.it"
