Posted by Michael Wonder on 09 Oct 2016
Reimbursable drug classes and ceilings in Italy: why not only one?
9 October 2016 - Since the beginning of the second millennium, reimbursable drugs have been classified into two classes in Italy: (1) class A, which includes essential drugs and drugs for chronic diseases; and (2) class H, for drugs dispensed only in hospital and thus unavailable in community pharmacies.
Starting from 2008, this classification relates closely to pharmaceutical expenditure control since the two classes are capped under different ceilings subject to paybacks in case of over-spending.
Garattini et al. analyse, by administration route and delivery regimen, the mix of medicines listed in class H compared to those in class A. Firstly, they analyse ceilings and expenses for the two classes. Then they discuss whether this dual classification still makes sense for medicine reimbursement in Italy, and widen the discussion on pharmaceutical reforms for a possible policy agenda.
