Abstract
This article provides an overview of a report by NERA Economic Consulting based on the outcomes of the health reform experiences of over 25 countries. The report is organised around four widely accepted ‘global principles’ governing the planning, funding and provision of healthcare services: fair access, efficiency, responsiveness to society and innovation. These principles, in turn, provide guidance for addressing problems that commonly plague national healthcare systems, such as balancing funding constraints against demand pressures and maintaining fair access for all to healthcare whilst responding to ever more demanding patients and rising expectations. Whilst the global principles cannot provide a formula for dealing with the array of problems facing various countries, they can help healthcare decisionmakers recognise the necessary trade-offs they must face, take the long-term view towards problem-solving and work toward addressing disparate needs in a consistent manner.
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References
Booer T, Bramley-Harker E, Lewis D, et al., editors. Global principles for better health care: lessons for the future. International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Geneva, Switzerland 2001 Mar
Bramley-Harker E, Booer T, Lewis D, et al., editors. Global principles for better health care: a guide for policymakers. International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Geneva, Switzerland 2002 Dec
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Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine [online]. Available from URL: http://www.cebm.net [Accessed 2004 Jul 22]
Acknowledgements
The research summarised in this article was commissioned and funded by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations. The author acknowledges the contributions of others involved in the study and, in particular, the other editors (Tim Booer, David Lewis and Daniel Whitaker). The interpretation of the original research summarised in this article remains the author’s responsibility. Thanks also go to two anonymous referees for their helpful comments and suggestions.
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Bramley-Harker, E. Global principles for better healthcare. Pharmacoeconomic 22 (Suppl 2), 73–79 (2004). https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200422002-00008
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200422002-00008