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  • Findings of the pharmaceutical market study in 2009-2011 years

    The key aim of the study is to improve affordability and availability of medicines for the population.

    Based on a three-year observation of pharmacies and different medicines in Georgia, Curatio International Foundation studied the practice in the pharmaceutical sector and came up with recommendations based on research findings. The recommendations will be presented to the broad audience of the health sector – the Health Care Committee of Parliament, the Ministry of Health, the insurance sector and other interested parties.

    Giorgi Gotsadze, the Curatio International Foundation Director: “Through the study we provide strong evidence to decision and policy makers on the current condition of the pharmaceutical market. We hope that this study will foster debates between the interested parties”.

    The study was conducted using the methodology of the World Health Organization (WHO). The survey looked at prices and mark-ups of 52 medicines (brand-name medicines and their cheap generic equivalents) over the period of three years in licensed pharmacies nationwide.

    The survey measures the quality of access to medicines in both pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies. In 2011, Pharmadepo and Parmacenter added to the pharmacy chains involved in the survey (PSP, Aversi, GPC) in 2009-2010.
    The survey looks at the access to medicines by years as well. It analysis the impact of amendments made in 2009 to the Law on Drugs on the access to medicines and medicine prices in Georgia. The survey analysis how the changes influence the patients’ treatment costs in patients with different diagnosis.

    The survey has found that:

    • The market has witnesses a tougher rivalry since 2009, which has likely led to the reduction of markups of brand-name products. Markups decreased most in 2001;
    • The year 2011 witnessed an increase in access to both brand-name products and their cheap generic equivalents;
    • Despite improved affordability the market is experiencing a lack of generic products;
    • Access to medicines varies by regions. Access, especially the access to generic medicines, in some regions is still low;
    • The level of access is highest in the Pharmadepo/Pharmacenter pharmacy chain and lowest in independent pharmacies, which is likely to be the result of unequal competition among pharmacies;
    • Even though there is a decreasing trend in medicine markups, the markups in Georgia are higher than in European states, which means that Georgian importers add more funds to medicine prices than European ones (which should respectively lead to higher profits). Consequently, the share of pharmaceutical costs in the national healthcare spending in Georgia is much higher compared to European states.
    Impact on Standard Treatment Costs:
    • There has been a decreasing trend in the standard treatment price for the past three years;
    • In 2011 standard treatment costs decreased more in case of treatment by brand-name medicines compared to treatment by generic products, however the treatment by generic medicines requires less spending because of low retail price of such medicines.
    The survey of prices and availability of medicines was divided into three phases and conducted in Georgia in 2009-2011. The first and third stags were financed by the World Bank, while the second one – by the Open Society Institute.CIF presents the results of the study exploring “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia”.

    Study presentation and small study report (available in Georgian).

  • Main findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia

    The researcher of the Curatio International Foundation Natia Rukhadze presented the findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia at the “Seminar on Health Financing Reforms in Georgia” held in MoLHSA on October 26, 2011.

    The study was funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and uses the data from nationally representative Integrated Household Survey (HIS) conducted by National Statistical Office (GEOSTAT) on an annual basis; Study looked at trends in household catastrophic health spending during 2006-2010 among different population groups. The purpose of the study was to look at population level impact of the Government’s health financing reforms initiated in 2006/07 and aimed at providing state subsidized health insurance to extremely poor.

    See the full report of the study.

  • Contribution to the development of National Health Care Strategy 2011-2015

    Curatio International Foundation has contributed to the development of National Health Care Strategy 2011-2015: “Affordable and Quality Health Care”. Under the current strategy, the government intends to improve population health through a reduction of disease burden and mortality by 2015. In order to achieve these goals, the government of Georgia has drawn up five strategic objectives and defined 26 strategic initiatives which are expected to be implemented over the course of coming five year period.

    Over the past several months the Foundation experts have worked extensively with the GoG and offered analytical support as well as strategic inputs in the process of strategy formulation.

    To review the document please follow the link.

  • Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia

    On October 26, 2011 the researcher of the Curatio International Foundation Natia Rukhadze presented the findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia at the “Seminar on Health Financing Reforms in Georgia” held in MoLHSA.

    The study was funded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and uses the data from nationally representative Integrated Household Survey (HIS) conducted by National Statistical Office (GEOSTAT) on an annual basis; Study looked at trends in household catastrophic health spending during 2006-2010 among different population groups. The purpose of the study was to look at population level impact of the Government’s health financing reforms initiated in 2006/07 and aimed at providing state subsidized health insurance to extremely poor.

    See the full report of the study.

  • New web guide for using qualitative approaches to health systems research

    By the end of summer 2011 Curatio International Foundation and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) developed the web resource which serves as a guideline for qualitative approaches in researching the health systems.

    Information of the web site is based on the experience of the study “Exploring providers’ and patients’ perspectives on barriers to quality of care for chronic heart failure (CHF) “. The study, in its turn, is a part of a project that explores transferability of qualitative principles (those for group and individual interviews) to low income former Soviet countries by conducting qualitative studies in Uzbekistan and Georgia. In the framework of the project CIF has conducted and analyzed findings of the qualitative research focusing on patients with heart chronic diseases and primary health care providers.

    In the framework of the project CIF has conducted and analyzed findings of the qualitative research focusing on patients with heart chronic diseases and primary health care providers.

    The project aims to develop understanding of how qualitative methodologies can be developed for use in low/middle income countries, and how they can be developed for use in comparative health systems research. The proposed study therefore includes two countries in a comparative case study design. Each case study will use qualitative methods (individual interviews and group discussions) to explore a topic in quality of care that is of interest to both health care systems. The interviews will be used to explore physician and patient perspectives on barriers for quality care in the treatment of chronic heart failure in primary care settings.

    Web-based learning modules on qualitative methods of data collection for health services research in central Asia and the former Soviet Union have been developed as a part of the project. The learning outcomes for the module are designed around the specific elements of this study. The module is planned to be incorporated into teaching at the School of Public Health in Uzbekistan, LSHTM and is openly accessible on the web to interested parties.

    The project is funded by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR).

     

    Follow the link to view the web site.

  • CIF Study Published in BMC Magazine, The Role of Supportive Supervision on Immunization Program Outcome- a randomized filed trial from Georgia

    The research article by CIF and international experts has been published in BMC International Health and Human Rights 2009. Article is a part of the supplement: The fallacy of coverage: uncovering disparities to improve immunization rates through evidence.The Canadian International Immunization Initiative Phase 2 (CIII2) Operational Research Grants.

    In the republic of Georgia, a country where widespread health care reforms have taken place over the last decade, an intervention was recently implemented to strengthen performance of immunization programs. A range of measures were taken to ensure that immunization managers carry out their activities effectively through direct, personal contact on a regular basis to guide, support and assist designated health care facility staff to become more competent in their immunization work. The study addresses the issues of human resources and its management in improving immunization coverage rates and aims to document the effects of “supportive” supervision on the performance of the immunization program at the district level in Georgia.

    Follow the link to learn more about methods and results of the survey.

    LATEST NEWS

  • CIF Calls for participation in internship program for 2011-2012

    Curatio International Foundation launches its internship program for 2011-2012 years and invites interns from around the world who are studying at masters or Ph.D. level and who are interested to have first-hand experience in the real-life setting and to contribute to the research projects implemented by the organization.

    Since 2002 CIF has hosted number of students from world’s leading universities such as Johns Hopkins, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Yale etc.

    Timing of the Internships

    – Winter interns (December through February) from 2 to 6 weeks
    – Summer interns (June through September) from 1 to 4 month

    Terms of the Internships

    This is non-paid internship although CIF provides following to the interns:

    – Office space and access to internet communication and office equipment;
    – Access to on-line library with more than 8,000 information resources and in 30 different languages

    For interns outside Georgia:
    – Internship coordinator, who provides continuous guidance around the research topic and support to an intern during their stay in Georgia and after their departure, during scientific paper preparation;
    – Logistical support prior to arrival to Georgia and during their stay, which includes following but not limited to: acceptance letter to facilitate obtaining travel grants from different donors, support for accommodation in Tbilisi-Georgia, guidance for travel, etc.
    – Block grant in the amount of 500 USD.

    The Benefits to Interns are:
    – Ability to apply knowledge and research skills on practice and satisfy project requirements at their school;
    – Contribute to and be one of the authors of a scientific paper published in a peer reviewed journal with high impact factor;
    – Interact with the professionals continuously involved/contributing to policy making process;

    Read the full description of announcement to obtain full information on application process and research topics for 2011-2012 years.

  • Releasing results of Bio-behavioral surveillance survey among men having sex with men

    Georgia is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence but with a high potential for the development of a widespread epidemic. However, over the past several years while transmission through injecting drug use is still the prevailing route for HIV spread, the role of heterosexual transmission is increasing. According to the national HIV surveillance system, infections acquired through homosexual contact account for a small proportion of all HIV cases.

    Curatio International Foundation and Association Tanadgoma release a study report on Bio-behavioral surveillance survey (BSS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tbilisi, Georgia.

    This study evaluated prevalence of HIV and other STIs (Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Herpes type-2 virus) and sexual risk behaviors among MSM in Tbilisi. Overall 278 respondents aged ≥18 years and having homosexual contact during last year were recruited using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) technique. The study findings has changed the country HIV epidemiological picture, moving from a low level to a concentrated epidemic among MSM in Tbilisi. The study provides recommendations for advocacy and policy level.

    The study was implemented in 2010 within the GFATM funded HIV/AIDS surveillance system strengthening project.

    Read the full version of the report to learn more on study methodology and findings.

  • Winner of the Fellowship Program 2011 Revealed

    In May, 2011 the winner of the CIF fellowship program was revealed. According to the decision of the experts committee the fellowship will be granted to Maia Khutsishvili, Master program student of the Tbilisi State Medical University.

    Over more than 15 years, Maia has been exposed to different aspects of healthcare field. From early nineties she has been working as a Medical Doctor (Pediatrician) in the leading hospitals of Georgia. In 2009 she joined one of the largest pharmaceutical companies Aversi in the capacity of Medical Representative.

    Maia’s academic background includes master level degree from the Tbilisi State Medical University with the specialization of Pediatrician (completed in 1993). She expects her Master’s degree in Public Health Management by the middle of summer 2011.

    Aside from clinical experience, Maia has a strong knowledge of specifics of Public Health Management related issues. In 2008-2009 she passed basic program for the managers at Business School of European School of Management. Maia plans to exercise her power in public health management and contribute to development of this field in Georgia.

    “Curatio International Foundation has long been the the organization I would like to cooperate with. After completing Master’s program I plan to focus on issues that are embraced in public health management, such as HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Drug Addiction etc. These are topics that are widely covered by studies provided by CIF. Becoming the winner of the program is very important for me not only in terms of getting financial award and increasing motivation but also it poses a golden opportunity to get exposed to wonderful experience of Foundation’s experts and listen to their recommendations while working on the research projects in the future”- says Maia.

    CIF has been running the Fellowship Program since 2009. Participants are being selected through an open and merit-based competition. The grant worth around of 250 GEL monthly (over ten academic months) is given to ONE student of the Master Program of Public Health Management or Business Administration with the focus on Public Health Management.

    For further information please visit the fellowships page.

  • Prices, Availability and Affordability of Medicines in Georgia-the New Study Report Endorsed

    In December 2010 CIF wrapped up the second stage of the study exploring “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia”.

    The study aimed at increasing awareness of civil society and improved access to medicines for the population through strengthening respective evidence. Field works during the first stage of the study were conducted in December 2009, while the second phase in July 2010. During the second phase the research covered four Georgian regions involving 146 pharmacies.

    The present report “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia” attempted to obtain reliable data on these aspects and documents tendencies of change over the course of 6 months in 2010. The survey looked at availability and price of Innovative Brands and their equivalent low price generics, analyzed collected data by type of medicine, regional differences as well as by type of pharmacy. The survey also looks at medicine mark-ups and compares with mark-ups in European countries, measures affordability of standard treatments as percent of average subsistence monthly allowance and provides comparison of the standard treatments by innovative brands and equivalent low price generics. Though the study has not covered all therapeutic categories, these do not detract from the importance of the above results as basis for action and as baseline for future studies.