Publication details
Access to Medicines, Care, and Services for Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Central and Eastern European Countries: A Comparative Analysis
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Objectives To compare the access of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to disease-modifying treatments (DMTs), care, and services in Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). Methods A 2-part questionnaire-based survey was conducted among experts from six CEECs – Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia over 4 months (01.12.2022 – 01.04.2023). The first part included questions about access to DMTs – legal requirements about reimbursement and pricing, availability of national pharmacotherapeutic and Health Technology Assessment guidelines, reimbursed DMTs, expenditures for three years (2019 – 2021) from the National Health Insurance Funds (NHIFs) perspectives. The second part included questions about MS patients’ physical and financial access to other services and support. Results Markov modeling is acceptable in Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and Serbia, while meta-analys?s of conducted clinical trials are requested in Bulgaria and Poland. In 2019 - 2021, DMTs’ costs incre?sed over time, with the highest MS expenditures observed in Poland (€1.15 billion in 2021). All countries provide access to different services and support for MS patients depending on patients disability level. Romania, Estonia, and Serbia ensure complete inpatient care, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation for MS patients. In all CEECs included in the study, the available DMTs were fully reimbursed, and NHIFs completely covered all diagnostic tests and procedures. Assessed by the number of authorized DMTs included in their Positive Drugs Lists, the best access to MS therapy have Bulgaria (84,21%), Poland (78,95%), and Slovakia (78,95%). Conclusions The study revealed differences in MS patients access to DMTs, care, and services amongst included countries. Improving access to MS therapy needs an evaluation of the long-term impact of the barriers as well as frequent feedback from MS patients and stakeholders. |