PGEU SymposiumPGEU Symposium

15 June 200415 June 2004

Contribution to the Panel discussionContribution to the Panel discussion

Claudio LeporiClaudio LeporiMember of the AESGP BoardMember of the AESGP Board

AESGP Offices AESGP Offices : 7, Avenue de Tervuren, B-1040 Brussels: 7, Avenue de Tervuren, B-1040 BrusselsTel: +32 2 735 51 30, Fax: +32 2 735 52 22, Tel: +32 2 735 51 30, Fax: +32 2 735 52 22,

info@aesgp.beinfo@aesgp.be

OF SELF-MEDICATION

AND PUBLIC HEALTH VALUE

THE ECONOMIC

New studyNew study

Analysis of the benefits of self-Analysis of the benefits of self-medication based on an economic medication based on an economic

modelmodel

►The study demonstratesThe study demonstrates the evidence base of the economic value of the evidence base of the economic value of self-medicationself-medication and theand the incremental benefits of an increase in the incremental benefits of an increase in the levels of self-medication levels of self-medication

►The study shows that total annual savings will exceed 16 billion The study shows that total annual savings will exceed 16 billion euros in the enlarged Europe.euros in the enlarged Europe.

►Based on an economic model,Based on an economic model, the study analyses the economic and the study analyses the economic and financial impact derived from a shift of 5% of prescribed products to financial impact derived from a shift of 5% of prescribed products to self-medicationself-medication

►On the basis that, as wide research has shown:On the basis that, as wide research has shown:

- - There is aThere is a substitution effectsubstitution effect between prescribed between prescribed medications and self-medicationmedications and self-medication

- - AroundAround 15% of all prescriptions are related to the 15% of all prescriptions are related to the treatment of minor illnessestreatment of minor illnesses

Analysis of the benefits of self-Analysis of the benefits of self-medicationmedication

Type of impact and affected partyType of impact and affected party

Table 1 shows the relevant factors affecting costs and the main parties involved

Analysis of the benefits of self-Analysis of the benefits of self-medicationmedication

Annual savings in an enlarged EuropeAnnual savings in an enlarged Europe

Analysis of the benefits of self-Analysis of the benefits of self-medicationmedication

illness seen versus costs incurredillness seen versus costs incurred

Encouraging a shift to self-care would have the effect of transferring costs through each level

Rx-to-OTC switching and new Rx-to-OTC switching and new medications for self-medication. Impact medications for self-medication. Impact on public healthon public health

►Self-medication also contributes effectively to public healthSelf-medication also contributes effectively to public health

►Through the analysis of three indication areas: smoking cessation, vaginal Through the analysis of three indication areas: smoking cessation, vaginal mycosis and heart disease prevention, the study demonstrates mycosis and heart disease prevention, the study demonstrates how how responsible self-medication has a positive health outcome for the responsible self-medication has a positive health outcome for the individual and additional positive consequences for the society as a individual and additional positive consequences for the society as a wholewhole

►The availability of innovative non-prescription medicines:The availability of innovative non-prescription medicines:

has the potential of increasing the likelihood of treatment has the potential of increasing the likelihood of treatment

and by that of reducing the number of sufferersand by that of reducing the number of sufferers

► Increasing the evidenceIncreasing the evidence that that a shift of medicines a shift of medicines from prescription to from prescription to non-prescription status and non-prescription status and the availability of a growing range of non-the availability of a growing range of non-prescription medicinesprescription medicines will make an will make an important contribution to public important contribution to public healthhealth

New medications for self-New medications for self-medication. Impact on public healthmedication. Impact on public health

Possible future new indications suitablefor self-treatment,in the frame of collaborative care,can make an increasingcontribution to improvepublic health

Policy recommendationsPolicy recommendations

►In order to make concrete progress with regard to an appropriate self-In order to make concrete progress with regard to an appropriate self-medication policy, the study suggests, following the G10 recommendations, medication policy, the study suggests, following the G10 recommendations, a number of measures:a number of measures:

►Increasing education and information on self-care optionsIncreasing education and information on self-care options

►Better communication on non-prescription medicinesBetter communication on non-prescription medicines

►Efficient marketing authorisation proceduresEfficient marketing authorisation procedures

►Speedy and transparent mechanisms to change product classification Speedy and transparent mechanisms to change product classification statusstatus

►Free pricing for self-medication productsFree pricing for self-medication products

THE ECONOMICAND PUBLIC HEALTH VALUEOF SELF-MEDICATION