Evaluation of reimbursement policy about anti-tnf agents in Turkey

Abstract

Anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor) agents are currently used in many rheumatic diseases. This research aims mainly to evaluate the reimbursement policy about anti-TNF drugs in Turkey. The analysis has been carried out according to the antiTNF reimbursement rules with the consumption data for the years 2012 - 2017. The cost tables have been prepared with the reimbursement prices and the medication prospectus doses approved by Turkish Ministry of Health. The results of the research indicate that anti-TNF agents have different treatment costs and adalimumab offers the lowest 12-month treatment costs for the diseases mentioned in the study. For a fair, obtainable and sustainable medication policy, Social Security Administration (SSA) has to reimburse the other molecules from the 12-month treatment cost of adalimumab. The current policies are far from being pharmacoeconomic and if this continues the resources will not be used in an efficient way for public health in Turkey.