Effect of an Online Reimbursement Application System on Prescribing of Lidocaine 5% Medicated Plaster in the Republic of Ireland.
Appl Health Econ Health Policy
; 19(1): 133-140, 2021 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32430656
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The lidocaine 5% medicated plaster, Versatis®, has one therapeutic indication listed on the Summary of Product Characteristics-symptomatic relief of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults. Increased expenditure on Versatis® suggests that there is considerable off-label use. To support the appropriate use of Versatis®, the Health Service Executive's Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) introduced a reimbursement application system for Versatis® from 1 September 2017.OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of introducing a reimbursement application system on Versatis® prescribing under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme.METHODS:
This study was carried out using prescription dispensing data from the PCRS pharmacy claims database. We carried out segmented linear regression to assess changes in the Versatis® prescribing rate per 1000 GMS eligible population, before and after the introduction of the online reimbursement application system.RESULTS:
The results of the segmented regression analysis show that there was a statistically significant level (- 4.91, p < 0.001) and trend change (- 0.69, p < 0.001) in the rate of Versatis® prescribing post-introduction of the reimbursement application system. In the year prior to the introduction of the system, 2016, the annual GMS expenditure on Versatis® lidocaine 5% patches was over 27 million, whereas the GMS expenditure in 2018 was reduced to just over 2 million.CONCLUSION:
In our study, a substantial decrease in the dispensing of Versatis® was seen after the implementation of a reimbursement application system. Prescribing of Versatis® should be restricted to patients with a diagnosis of PHN not only to reduce costs, but to ensure evidence-based use of this medication.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neuralgia Pós-Herpética
/
Lidocaína
Limite:
Adult
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article