REGULATORY & HEALTHCARE NEWS

Gennan doctors plan prescription strike A prescription strike is seen by Gennan doctors as an answer to their rising conflict with the health insurance companies in that country, reports Denis Durand de Bousingen for The Lancet. I In many areas in Gennany, the maximum limit in the 1996 doctors' prescription budget (DM29 000 million) was reached in October, and according to the cost control regulations, doctors must pay for prescriptions exceeding this limit. The amounts to be paid by each doctor may exceed DM50 000 for the remainder of the year, according to Mr Durand de Bousingen. In response to these regulations, doctors are now threatening to prescribe only vital or urgent drugs, and patients may have to pay for the majority of their drugs until the end of the year. This is just the beginning of the conflict, says Mr Durand de Bousingen, and it could lead to 'major problems between doctors and health insurance companies in coming weeks' .

Rational prescribing recommended The Gennan Krankenkassen doctors association (¥HV) has issued recommendations on how to

reduce prescribing costs, reports Scrip.2 Doctors have been criticised for thoughtlessly using expensive 'me-too' products, and the use of generics has been recommended whenever possible. The generic drug company Ratiophann responded rapidly by advertising its product prices, reports Scrip. 1. Durand de Boosingen D. Gennan doctors threaten prescription strike. Lancet 348: 1235, 2 Nov 1996 2. About tum by Gennan doctors. Scrip: 2. No. 2178, 5 Nov 1996 ..... '""0

1173-55031961OO8!HXlOllI$01.000 Adialntem8tlonal Limited 1996. All righta.-wd

PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 23 Nov 1996 No. 89

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