Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Resource allocation and purchasing arrangements to improve accessibility of medicines: Evidence from Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Peivand Bastani 1
. Gholamhossein Mehralian 2
. Rasoul Dinarvand 3

1 Department of Health Service Management, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharma Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to review the current methods of pharmaceutical 
purchasing by Iranian insurance organizations within the World Bank conceptual framework 
model so as to provide applicable pharmaceutical resource allocation and purchasing (RAP) 
arrangements in Iran.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through a qualitative document 
analysis (QDA), applying the four‑step Scott method in document selection, and conducting 
20 semi‑structured interviews using a triangulation method. Furthermore, the data were 
analyzed applying five steps framework analysis using Atlas‑ti software.
Findings: The QDA showed that the purchasers face many structural, financing, payment, 
delivery and service procurement and purchasing challenges. Moreover, the findings of 
interviews are provided in three sections including demand‑side, supply‑side and price and 
incentive regime.
Conclusion: Localizing RAP arrangements as a World Bank Framework in a developing 
country like Iran considers the following as the prerequisite for implementing strategic 
purchasing in pharmaceutical sector: The improvement of accessibility, subsidiary mechanisms, 
reimbursement of new drugs, rational use, uniform pharmacopeia, best supplier selection, 
reduction of induced demand and moral hazard, payment reform. It is obvious that for Iran, 
these customized aspects are more various and detailed than those proposed in a World 
Bank model for developing countries.

Keywords

Insurance organization
Iran
pharmaceutical
resource allocation and  purchasing arrangements
strategic purchasing
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 4, Issue 1
Winter 2015
Pages 9-17

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