Acceptability and consumers' willingness to pay for comprehensive medication management services in Brazil.

Aim: Comprehensive medication management (CMM) is a clinical service that aims to optimize the therapeutic results of patients at the individual level. Studies carried out in Brazil and in several parts of the world have found a positive impact of the service, mainly in the resolution of drug therapy problems and in improving clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life. This service is not widespread and its acceptability and willingness to pay were not defined by the population yet. Objective: This work aims to conduct a study with users of private health services to determine the acceptability and willingness to pay for CMM services. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted through face-to-face interviews, among residents over 18 years of age of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Results: For this study, 563 individuals were interviewed. Most respondents were female (55.1%), had completed high school (46.8%) and were employed (62.5%). The acceptability for the service was 93,25%, and among all respondents, 37 would not accept the service even if it was free. The amount of consumers' willingness to pay for the CMM service was estimated at $17.75 (40.00 BRL). Conclusion: The research results show that most people are willing to pay for the CMM service. This study can contribute to the decision-making regarding the implementation and pricing of the service in Brazil.

Acceptability and willingness to pay for a hypothetical vaccine against SARS CoV-2 by the Brazilian consumer: a cross-sectional study and the implications.

INTRODUCTION: The new coronavirus pandemic has appreciably impacted morbidity and mortality, as well as having an economic impact worldwide. New vaccines are a potential way forward to reduce transmission rates and subsequent infection. In Brazil, vaccines are being distributed via the public sector; however, in the future, they will be available in the private market. Information about consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical vaccine against SARS CoV-2 can help future price setting discussions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with consumers in the five regions of Brazil regarding the WTP for a hypothetical vaccine against SARS CoV-2 with a 50% efficacy. RESULTS: A total of 1402 individuals over 18 years of age who declared not having COVID-19 at the time of the survey were interviewed. The acceptability for this hypothetical vaccine was 80.7%. In addition, the amount of WTP by Brazilian consumers for a hypothetical SARS CoV-2 vaccine was estimated at US$ 22.18(120.00 BRL). CONCLUSION: This study can contribute to decision-making to inform potential pricing for a hypothetical SARS CoV-2 vaccine.

Evidence-based public policy making for medicines across countries: findings and implications for the future.

Aim: Global expenditure on medicines is rising up to 6% per year driven by increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and new premium priced medicines for cancer, orphan diseases and other complex areas. This is difficult to sustain without reforms. Methods: Extensive narrative review of published papers and contextualizing the findings to provide future guidance. Results: New models are being introduced to improve the managed entry of new medicines including managed entry agreements, fair pricing approaches and monitoring prescribing against agreed guidance. Multiple measures have also successfully been introduced to improve the prescribing of established medicines. This includes encouraging greater prescribing of generics and biosimilars versus originators and patented medicines in a class to conserve resources without compromising care. In addition, reducing inappropriate antibiotic utilization. Typically, multiple measures are the most effective. Conclusion: Multiple measures will be needed to attain and retain universal healthcare.

Epidemiological Impact and Hospitalization costs applied to dengue in the Midwest region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, from SUS perspective.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Dengue is considered one of the greatest public health challenges in the world, especially, for tropical and subtropical countries. Brazil highlights with considerable number of registers associated with this arbovirus, with emphasis on the state of Minas Gerais and its municipalities in regions such as the midwest. We aimed to evaluate the economic and epidemiological impact of dengue in the midwest region of minas Gerais, from SUS perspective. METHODS: Our study evaluated the epidemiological impact of dengue fever in the midwest region of Minas Gerais using data applied to Divinópolis city from SUS perspective between 2000 to 2015 considering SIH/SUS database (hospitalization registers) and 2007 to 2017 using the SINAN database (notification cases). We analyzed the number of notification registers and hospital services, as well as their costs, from a SUS perspective associated with this infection. RESULTS: There were 26,516 notifications associated with dengue, with 21,953 cases being confirmed by SEMUSA, with a median incidence of 211 cases/100,000 inhabitants of dengue notifications between 2007 and 2017. The southeast and southwest regions in the municipality are highlighted with high number of cases. Additionally, 160 hospitalizations were recorded with 33.79% in individuals between 15 and 34 years old and expenses of USD 53,737.21 for SUS between 2000 and 2015. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Divinópolis is the reference (social and economic) municipality of the midwest region in Minas Gerais state. Our study is the first conducted involving a long period of follow up applied to dengue context in this locality, especially, including the costs associated with hospitalization services. We hope to contribute to the discussions regarding the coping strategies of the disease, considering the impact in its different regions, highlighting the need for continued efforts and initiatives aimed at combating the vector of this and other arboviruses such as Zika and chikungunya.