Medicine Price Surveys, Analyses and Comparisons: Evidence and Methodology Guidance establishes guiding principles for the study and implementation of pharmaceutical price surveys, analyses and comparisons. The book reviews current price studies in major pharmaceutical markets, accounting for the impact of methodological choices on findings, and explaining how, and why, differences in medicine prices manifest between, and within, different regions. The book provides practical guidance on how to conduct meaningful price analyses and comparisons, evaluates the existing price survey literature, discusses the accessibility and reliability of data sources, and provides a checklist and training kit on price surveys, analyses and comparisons.
In addition, the book devotes time to the theory and practice of external price comparisons and their benefits and limitations. Finally, the impact of the design of external price referencing on policy objectives, such as affordable access to medicines and cost-containment are discussed, along with options for improving the effectiveness of policies.
