Croatian medical journal
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2002
Review Comparative StudyEncouraging the use of generic medicines: implications for transition economies.
Generic drugs have a key role to play in the efficient allocation of financial resources for pharmaceutical medicines. Policies implemented in the countries with a high rate of generic drug use, such as Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are reviewed, with consideration of the market structures that facilitate strong competition. Savings in these countries are realized through increases in the volume of generic drugs used and the frequently significant differences in the price between generic medicines and branded originator medicines. ⋯ On the demand-side, measures typically encompass influencing prescribing and dispensing patterns as well as introducing a co-payment structure for consumers/patients that takes into consideration the difference in cost between branded and generic medicines. Quality of generic medicines is a pre-condition for all other measures discussed to take effect. The paper concludes by offering a list of policy options for decision-makers in Central and Eastern European economies in transition.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2002
Comparative StudyTwo ophthalmology departments financed by compulsory health insurance: what is it that makes a difference in costs and clinical effectiveness?
To identify factors contributing to significant differences between two university hospital departments of ophthalmology, one in Paris, France, and the other in Zagreb, Croatia, in their clinical effectiveness and cost-efficiency. ⋯ Different instruments of hospital services payment result in different clinical and organizational behavior of the hospital personnel and management. The three-fold longer stay in Zagreb can be explained by the mechanism of service payment, which is based on payment for capacity and structure and process in Zagreb instead of payment for service and service-related outcomes in Paris. Comparison of the two departments indicates that clinical efficiency and effectiveness cannot and should not be separated from financial incentives that can stimulate (Paris) or discourage (Zagreb) rational and evidence-based clinical behavior.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2002
Impact of war on health related quality of life in Croatia: population study.
To present health-related quality of life in post-war Croatia, focusing on the population as a whole rather than on the specific group of people. ⋯ War affects self-perceived health, physical ability, and emotional and mental health of the entire population affected by war, especially younger age groups, those with lower education, and lower income.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2002
EditorialAiming for prevention: medical and public health approaches to small arms, gun violence, and injury.
The level of global small arms violence is enormous and the scale of human suffering it causes is immense, although poorly counted. It causes at least hundreds of thousands of deaths and more than a million injuries each year, as well as permanent physical and psychological damage, destruction of families, lost productivity, and diversion of resources from basic health services. ⋯ Policies and programs designed to reduce the human and social impacts of small arms should make use of public health knowledge and analysis of risk factors as a means of bringing increased focus and effectiveness to their objectives. At its international conference on small arms, gun violence, and injury, "Aiming for Prevention" in Helsinki in September 2001, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War called on health professionals as well as scientists, activists, humanitarian and development workers to contribute to an effective confrontation of the small arms pandemic.