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A therapeutic equivalence program: evidence-based promotion of more efficient use of medicines.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21692719     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: The development of an effective therapeutic equivalence program (TEP) through the collaborative support of medical staff, using the principles of disinvestment.
DESIGN AND SETTING: A TEP was introduced at Southern Health, a metropolitan health service in Melbourne, in the 2006-07 financial year. Therapeutic classes were selected for the TEP by stakeholder consensus, and a preferred medication for each class was selected on the basis of cost considerations and therapeutic equivalence. New patients were commenced on preferred medicines, but patients receiving another medicine from a therapeutic class included in the program were not automatically switched to the preferred medicine. For the first 4 years of the program, prescribing patterns were monitored, and savings achieved (due to lower prices for and increased use of preferred medicines) were calculated on a monthly basis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescribing trends for preferred medicines, as a measure of acceptance of the TEP, and savings produced by the program.
RESULTS: Over the 4-year study period, 11 therapeutic classes were targeted. The use of all preferred medicines increased once they become part of the TEP and a total of $3.16 million was saved. The annual savings increased each year, and the rate of increase was six times that of the increase in patient separations.
CONCLUSIONS: The TEP at Southern Health resulted in significant savings. It showed that, by using a collaborative and evidence-based approach, the principles of disinvestment can be applied to use of medicines.
Authors:
Ian Larmour; Silvana Pignataro; Kerryn L Barned; Stav Mantas; Melvyn G Korman
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Medical journal of Australia     Volume:  194     ISSN:  1326-5377     ISO Abbreviation:  Med. J. Aust.     Publication Date:  2011 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-06-22     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0400714     Medline TA:  Med J Aust     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  631-4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Southern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. ian.larmour@southernhealth.org.au.
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