Background: The Iranian pharmaceutical market is substantial, comprising a mix of domestically produced and imported medications. Among these, insulin plays a critical role in the treatment of diabetic patients. This study aims to examine insulin from both import and domestic production perspectives within the Iranian pharmaceutical market during the year 2023. Methods: The research is a descriptive analytical study that investigates the insulin market using statistical data from the Food and Drug Administration of Iran. Results: The findings indicate that a significant portion of the insulin available in Iran's pharmaceutical market is sourced through imports from European countries. Conclusion: Given the importance of this medication for diabetes management and the current conditions in the country, it is essential for drug policies to shift towards increasing domestic production of insulin. The government should remove barriers faced by local manufacturers to enable them to meet the majority of the country's insulin needs effectively.  

The article analyzes the standards of treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the CIS countries, such as Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan. In the standards of the above-mentioned countries, the diagnosis of the disease, treatment methods and drugs used were considered by a comparative method. The results of this study will be used as a basis for marketing and pharmacoeconomic analysis to provide the population with effective drugs.  

Background: Expenditure related to medicines has increased significantly in several countries. This study aimed to describe medicine expenditure trends at the Mutual Insurance Company for Civil Servers and Agents of the State of Côte d’Ivoire (MUGEFCI) between 2014 and 2018.   Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the MUGEFCI's medicine expenditures. Beneficiaries who used at least one drug reimbursed between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018 were included in the study. Expenditure was estimated using public pharmacy prices. Beneficiaries were described by ATC class and age group. Results: In 2014, the medicine expenditure was XOF 14.720 billion (approximately € 22.44 million), which increased by 63.21% in 2018. The medicine classes that incurred the highest expenditures were, for the first level (ATC main group), anti-infectives for systemic use (23.84%), and cardiovascular medicines (15.23%). Anti-parasitic products, insecticides, and repellents (9.79%) and medicines for the alimentary tract and metabolism (9.67%) were also used. Total expenditure was most important for young adults aged 35-45 years. Conclusion: Medicine expenditures have increased significantly. The rational use of medicines and control of the expenditure they generate is a major challenge to guarantee access to medicines.  

Background: The regulation of medical cannabis is rapidly evolving globally as attested by the changing societal attitudes, political shifts, and therapeutic health benefits. Lesotho was one of the first countries in Africa to legalise the cultivation and exportation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Objectives: To explore medical cannabis regulations in Lesotho with stringent regulatory authorities, identify the pressing challenges, and attempt to make recommendations addressing them. Methods: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative research method. A thematic literature review was used to map the relevant data while identifying comparable themes and patterns between Lesotho and other countries. Literature was explored from published online sources, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. Results: The United States, Europe, Lesotho, and six other countries were explored. Most countries have strict regulatory authorities that comply with international standards on regulation. Although Lesotho complies with the export market, more still needs to be done to regulate medical cannabis globally and locally adequately. Conclusion: The current medical cannabis regulation in Lesotho is intricate and challenging; Lesotho needs to partner with various stakeholders such as regulators, government policymakers, and healthcare professionals to develop systems and inclusive regulatory frameworks for evidence-based therapy that address local healthcare, socioeconomic, and global demands.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a standardized Sugammadex dosing quality improvement project for the pediatric population conducted at Michigan Medicine. Methods: A retrospective chart review of children aged two and older who underwent general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, received rocuronium or vecuronium as a neuromuscular blocking medication, and received Sugammadex as a reversal agent. The patients received pre-drawn syringes in multiples of 25 mg from the pharmacy or exact mg/kg doses drawn straight from a vial by the anesthesia provider. The primary outcome assessed was the cost of waste for pre- versus post-intervention of the dose rounding project. Results: A total of 5856 patients aged 2 to 17 underwent general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation and received rocuronium or vecuronium as a neuromuscular blocking medication and as the reversal agent. Prior to implementation, the pre-intervention group exhibited waste equal to more than half of the total cost of the medication. Post-intervention waste was eliminated resulting in a significant cost reduction. Conclusion: Following the implementation of the standardized dosing rounding quality improvement project greater than half of the budget spent on Sugammadex for pediatric use was reduced annually. Dose rounding can lead to a more cost-effective method of utilizing Sugammadex in the pediatric population.

The pharmaceutical market is both complex and diverse. It differs from country to country, even region to region and it is constantly evolving. India’s pharmaceutical sector ranks among the largest and most advanced science-based industries within developing nations globally. In the rapidly evolving pharmaceutical industry, strategic planning is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring sustainable growth. One of the key players in this strategic landscape is the Medical Affairs (MA) department. Strategic planning start from pre-clinical development and continue till the product is in market. A well-developed strategic plan in medico-marketing can significantly impact a company's market presence, brand loyalty, and patient outcomes. Medical Affairs will always remain a cornerstone of strategic planning in the pharmaceutical industry.