Journal of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management

GLAD, SAD, BAD, and MAD Policies and Programs:

Majid Davari — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:21:08 +0330

The pharmaceutical landscape is a complex mix of innovation, regulation, and market forces. As healthcare systems face rising costs and increasing demand for effective treatments, it is essential to evaluate the efficiency of policies and programs that determine access to and affordability of medications. This editorial introduces a framework of GLAD, SAD, BAD, and MAD policies and programs to categorize the efficiency and economic viability of pharmaceutical interventions. By critically assessing these categories, we aim to highlight the need for a systematic review of current practices and encourage a shift toward more sustainable healthcare solutions.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Luliconazole vs. Oxiconazole in Tinea Treatment in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Ankita Sawant, Aparna Chincholkar, Ganesh Pentewar — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:23:54 +0330

Objective: To compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of luliconazole 1% cream and oxiconazole 1% cream in patients of tinea corporis and cruris receiving oral itraconazole.

Methods: This was an observational study conducted between November 2022 to October 2023. In the present study, 106 patients were matched for age, sex, and severity of the disease. They received one of the three treatment groups; topical luliconazole and oral itraconazole were in Group (A), topical oxiconazole and oral itraconazole were in Group (B) while those who received only oral itraconazole were in Group (C). Study groups also received levocetirizine 5 mg orally once daily. At the end of 2^nd and 4^th week change in clinical parameters was noted and pharmacoeconomic ratio was calculated at the end of 4^th week.

Results: The change in mean composite scores of the three study groups were compared at the end of 2^nd week (group A:50.7%;group;B:48.1%;group C: 46%) and 4^th week (group A:89.4%;group B:85.1%;group C:88.4%) and were not statistically significant. (p>0.05) The pharmacoeconomic ratio was least for Group C patients irrespective of severity as compared to Group A and Group B.(p<0.05)

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggests that topical luliconazole and oxiconazole are equally efficacious in patients of tinea corporis and cruris receiving oral itraconazole. Patients who received only oral itraconazole the treatment was more cost effective.

Iranian Pharmaceutical Industry Future Trends:

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:26:02 +0330

Background: The pharmaceutical industry is changing worldwide due to innovations in biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital health. These advances are changing both drug development and healthcare systems, which must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly aging population and rising medical care costs. This paper aims to delineate in more detail the changing face of the pharmaceutical industry in Iran's future.

Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach was employed to collect the opinion of experts through the help of in-depth interviews (n=12), performed a thematic analysis, and further used the Analytic Hierarchy Process, validating our results through further expert reviews. Participants had averaged over 22 years of experience.

Results: Five broad categories of trends were identified and weighted based on their significance: These are weighted in regard to the relative importance of each: Technology Advancement (0.31), Digital Transformation (0.28), Biotechnological Innovation (0.22), Supply Chain & Regulatory Evolution (0.12), and Leadership & Soft Skill Development (0.07). Our study emphasizes two very modern and fast-growing trends—artificial intelligence and personalized medicine—along with the difficulties Iran might experience with these advanced technologies.

Conclusion: The future of the drug company in Iran is yet promising, with its own set of challenges. It has much to win and will have to overcome a host of regulatory bottlenecks and a lack of infrastructure so as not to stay behind in the race as AI and digital healthcare solutions seem to pick up speed around the globe.

Navigating Healthcare Economics:

Rania Indu, Moumita Ray, Sudipto Mangal — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0330

Background: In today's healthcare landscape, escalating costs underscore the pressing need for pharmacoeconomic evaluations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where medication expenses can dominate healthcare budgets. Pharmacoeconomics, a multidisciplinary field, scrutinizes the costs and benefits of healthcare interventions, offering vital insights for optimizing value within resource constraints.

Methods: This article provides an overview of pharmacoeconomics, tracing its historical development, methodologies, and diverse applications in healthcare decision-making. Despite its significance, obstacles persist in the widespread adoption of pharmacoeconomic studies, including limited funding, expertise shortages, and data deficiencies. Addressing these challenges is paramount to harnessing the full potential of pharmacoeconomics in informing resource allocation and enhancing healthcare efficiency and sustainability worldwide.

Results: As healthcare payers increasingly prioritize cost-effectiveness, the demand for pharmacoeconomic evaluations continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for overcoming barriers to implementation. By embracing pharmacoeconomic principles, stakeholders can navigate complex healthcare landscapes, optimize patient outcomes, and promote equitable and efficient resource allocation. Ultimately, integrating pharmacoeconomics into healthcare decision-making processes holds promise for fostering a more resilient, effective, and patient-centered healthcare system for all.

Varicose Vein Treatment and Its Success Rate

Bibin Rijo W; Divika S; Kishankanth P, Aswin A V — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:28:05 +0330

A B S T R A C T

Background: Chronic venous illness is one of the major developing illnesses across the world. Varicose vein leads to major negative consequences, including missed work, pain, discomfort, and a deterioration in quality of life.

Methods: Varicose veins affect people’s quality of life and range in incidence from 10% to 30% worldwide Varicose vein treatment options are taken based on a number of factors, including patient preferences, postoperative risk, cost, and the degree of the venous insufficiency.). Varicose vein patients who are asymptomatic are initially treated conservatively with medications, compression therapy, and lifestyle changes. Patients who are symptomatic, on the other hand, are advised to look at surgical options such as radiofrequency ablation(RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), high ligation and stripping (HL/S) of the incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV), Cure conservatrice et Hemodynamique de Insufficience veineuse en Ambulatoire (CHIVA) , mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) , cyanoacrylate embolization (CAE),etc.

Results: Each treatment is effective in the treatment of each type and each stage of varicose veins and has its pros and cons. This article analysis the varicose vein treatments and discusses the safety, efficacy and success rate of each treatments.

The Impact of the Health Transformation Plan on Injectable Antibiotic Prescription Patterns:

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:29:08 +0330

Background: Health systems must continuously adapt and undergo reforms in both structure and function to effectively meet the evolving needs of society and respond to changing conditions. Due to the importance of the role of drug studies in rationalizing the pattern of drug use, the current study was based on the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system and the defined daily dose (DDD) developed by World Health Organization (WHO).

Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical analysis of injectable antibiotic prescriptions at Bu-Ali Hospital from 2012 to 2017. Data were extracted from the Hospital Information System (HIS), focusing on injectable antibiotics administered and consumed during hospital stays. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess data normality, and the paired t-test was applied to compare the periods before and after the implementation of the HTP. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was also used for paired group comparisons.

Results: Following the implementation of the HTP, all investigated indicators include total number, DDD and cost showed a significant increase compared to the pre-HTP period. Only the cost per capita (p-value=0.712) and amount per capita (p-value =0.182) of total injectable antibiotics decreased post-HTP, though this change was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The HTP in Iran significantly influenced antibiotic prescription patterns at Bu-Ali Hospital, leading to increased usage of injectable antibiotics and DDD. These changes improved access to potent antibiotics, but continued monitoring is necessary to ensure responsible usage and prevent antimicrobial resistance.