Treatment cost of neuropathic pain from the perspective of social security institution in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a symptom that occurs due to many different diseases. In addition to affecting the quality of life of patients negatively, it is difficult, costly and long to treat. Turkey is a country with limited resources. The aim of this study was to calculate the cost of drugs which are reimbursed in the treatment of neuropathic pain from the perspective of the Social Security Institution (SSI). Material and Method: Study was made by according to the sales and consumption data received from the institution of IMS-Health/Turkey and the perspective of the Health Implementation Communique article about the treatment of Neuropathic Pain which published by the Social Security Institution Result and Discussion: SSI has no criterion in the treatment of NP. Active substances are reimbursed with only the choices of some group of specialist physicians. The cost of neuropathic pain treatment from producer prices was 115,330,643 TL in 2009, and 337,545,178 TL in 2017. This cost is estimated to increase by 40-50% when free of charge products, pharmacy and distribution channel profits are included. The cumulative increase in the consumption of pregabalin, with its addictive potential, is remarkable. Scientific and national treatment guidelines for neuropathic pain should be continuously updated and should be prepared according to pharmacoeconomic analysis and pharmacodelemiological data. Physicians should be trained and appropriate treatment should be provided. © 2019 University of Ankara. All rights reserved.