EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STATE REGULATION METHODS FOR PRICES OF MEDICINES: FINDINGS OF AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2312-0967.2026.3.16532Keywords:
state regulation, price, medicines, National Price Catalog, expert surveyAbstract
Objective. The study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current system of state regulation of the prices of medicinal products in Ukraine, to examine the challenges facing the National Catalogue of Medicinal Product Prices, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the current model in terms of ensuring the accessibility and transparency of the pharmaceutical market.
Materials and methods. The study is based on a mixed-methods design, incorporating regulatory, sociological, and analytical methods. The empirical part consisted of a questionnaire survey of 112 professional market participants, 50% of whom were pharmacists from retail pharmacies, as well as representatives of the academic community (24.1%), regulatory bodies (10.7%), and manufacturers. The object of the study was the system of state price regulation, and the subject was the methods of regulating, monitoring, and controlling drug prices.
Results. Within the study sample, a high level of support for government intervention was observed, as follows: 87.5% of respondents support the need for drug price regulation as a tool for social justice. Respondents rated the practical performance of the current model at an average of 2.8 points on a 5-point scale. The main perceived positive effects were price containment (51.8%) and increased transparency (44.6%). The priority goals of regulation were increasing medicine accessibility (76.8%) and preventing unjustified price increases (68.8%). At the same time, key perceived risks included shortages of certain medicines, increased administrative burden, and reduced suppliers’ interest in market entry.
Conclusions. Despite the high level of support for the concept of state regulation of drug prices, within the study sample, respondents’ assessment indicates that its practical implementation requires improvement, particularly regarding the updating of data in the National Price Catalog. The findings characterize professional perceptions of the current model rather than its objectively measured economic effectiveness.
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