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Comparative Study of Direct Patient and Drug Costs Before and After the Implication of Healthcare Reform Program in Sari, Iran



Sarkhanlou F1 ; Saeedi M2 ; Janbabai G3 ; Nikfar S4 ; Mortezasemnani K2 ; Zaboli P5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Pharmacoeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2016

Abstract

Background and purpose: In many countries, measurements are taken to support cancer patients. In Iran the high costs of cancers and increasing incidence of cancer have made health system authorities to plan for this issue as a top priority of healthcare reform program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this program in cancer patients in Sari Imam Khomeini teaching hospital, Iran. Materials and methods: An analytical study was performed in which the costs of leukemia patients admitted in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital (in two six-month periods, April-October 2013 and 2014) were obtained using their medical and billing records. Data analysis was done in SPSS V.21 applying t-test. Results: Percentage of direct patient costs were 17.12% and 3.02% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The portion of the medicine fee paid by patients reduced to 7.7% in 2014 (after implementing the healthcare reform program) from 16.8% in 2013. Conclusion: Implementation of healthcare reform program has dramatically reduced the direct patient costs in 2014. Also, the fee paid by patients for medicine has reduced by 9% following the program. Therefore, adopting new policies that could reduce the costs of medications can be of great benefit in reducing financial barriers to patients. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.