Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 151 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Drivers of food waste generation: Case study of island-based hotels in Langkawi, Malaysia
    Kasavan S, Mohamed AF, Abdul Halim S
    Waste Manag, 2019 May 15;91:72-79.
    PMID: 31203944 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.04.055
    Food waste (FW) generation from hotel operations have a significant negative impact on the environment, society and economy. Hence, the urgent need to introduce sustainable food management to reduce both FW and operational costs in hotels. The aim of this paper is to identify the drivers of FW generation and barriers to sustainable food waste management (SFWM) in island based hotels. The data were collected using in-depth interview coupled with the observations conducted at 23 selected hoteliers in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. Based on the analysis, using qualitative content analysis (QCA), eight FW drivers were identified and the drivers were classified into three categories of factors, mainly internal, external and intermediate influence. There are four FW drivers identified as internal factors that influenced the implementation of food waste management namely (1) poor hotel management and policies, (2) lack of skills in food preparation, (3) lack of facilities and FW technology and (4) non-implementation of waste audit and waste separation. For external factors, there are two FW drivers, including (5) unsustainable food consumption patterns of the customers and (6) risk of food ingredients spoilage. As for intermediate factors, two FW drivers were identified, which are (7) ineffective communication and (8) inadequate education and awareness. Findings from this study contribute towards a better understanding on the complexity of FW issues, particularly for island-based hotel sector. It was also suggested that a holistic approach with multi-stakeholders is crucial to reduce food wastage towards achieving SFWM.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  2. Private medical education--the doctor's perspective
    Abdul Hamid AK
    Med J Malaysia, 2000 Aug;55 Suppl B:23-7.
    PMID: 11125516
    The Government's decision to drastically and speedily increase the number of doctors in the country needs to be reviewed. The standard and quality of health care does not depend on the number of doctors, but on the improvement of the health care infrastructure. Increasing the number of government medical schools and increasing the intake of students should be done on a need-to basis, with the above perspective in mind. The selection criteria of candidates must not be compromised and the teaching staff must be adequate and experienced. The number of doctors should be gradually increased over the years in tandem with the development of the health care infrastructure and the deployment of doctors must be directed at providing equitable care to the people at all economic levels and geographic locations. The strength of academic staff in existing government medical schools must be upgraded to provide high level of teaching and research, perhaps reinforced with the recruitment of suitably qualified and experienced foreign teachers. The infrastructure of existing government medical schools must be upgraded to cater for the gradual increasing demand for more doctors as the country develops. The selection of candidates for the government medical schools must be based on merit and without undue emphasis on ethnic considerations, for it is only in the arena of fair competitiveness that excellence can be born. The considerations of merit in selection must include assessment of attitude, self-development, moral ethics and reasoning. If the above perspectives are fully appreciated, then there is really no requirement for private medical colleges in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  3. Development and Practical Application of a Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework on Respiratory Inhalers: Is It Always Useful in the MOH Malaysia Medicines Formulary Listing Context?
    Yong YV, Mahamad Dom SH, Ahmad Sa'ad N, Lajis R, Md Yusof FA, Abdul Rahaman JA
    MDM Policy Pract, 2021 03 30;6(1):2381468321994063.
    PMID: 33855190 DOI: 10.1177/2381468321994063
    Objectives. The current health technology assessment used to evaluate respiratory inhalers is associated with limitations that have necessitated the development of an explicit formulary decision-making framework to ensure balance between the accessibility, value, and affordability of medicines. This study aimed to develop a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework, apply the framework to potential and currently listed respiratory inhalers in the Ministry of Health Medicines Formulary (MOHMF), and analyze the impacts of applying the outputs, from the perspective of listing and delisting medicines in the formulary. Methods. The overall methodology of the framework development adhered to the recommendations of the ISPOR MCDA Emerging Good Practices Task Force. The MCDA framework was developed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and involved all relevant stakeholders. The framework was then applied to 27 medicines, based on data gathered from the highest levels of available published evidence, pharmaceutical companies, and professional opinions. The performance scores were analyzed using the additive model. The end values were then deliberated by an expert committee. Results. A total of eight main criteria and seven subcriteria were determined by the stakeholders. The economic criterion was weighted at 30%. Among the noneconomic criteria, "patient suitability" was weighted the highest. Based on the MCDA outputs, the expert committee recommended one potential medicine (out of three; 33%) be added to the MOHMF and one existing medicine (out of 24; 4%) be removed/delisted from the MOHMF. The other existing medicines remained unchanged. Conclusions. Although this framework was useful for deciding to add new medicines to the formulary, it appears to be less functional and impactful for the removal/delisting existing medicines from the MOHMF. The generalizability of this conclusion to other formulations remains to be confirmed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  4. A low cost solution for post-biopsy complications using available RFA generator and coaxial core biopsy needle
    Azlan CA, Mohd Nasir NF, Saifizul AA, Faizul MS, Ng KH, Abdullah BJ
    Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2007 Dec;30(4):288-91.
    PMID: 18274069
    Percutaneous image-guided needle biopsy is typically performed in highly vascular organs or in tumours with rich macroscopic and microscopic blood supply. The main risks related to this procedure are haemorrhage and implantation of tumour cells in the needle tract after the biopsy needle is withdrawn. From numerous conducted studies, it was found that heating the needle tract using alternating current in radiofrequency (RF) range has a potential to minimize these effects. However, this solution requires the use of specially designed needles, which would make the procedure relatively expensive and complicated. Thus, we propose a simple solution by using readily available coaxial core biopsy needles connected to a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) generator. In order to do so, we have designed and developed an adapter to interface between these two devices. For evaluation purpose, we used a bovine liver as a sample tissue. The experimental procedure was done to study the effect of different parameter settings on the size of coagulation necrosis caused by the RF current heating on the subject. The delivery of the RF energy was varied by changing the values for delivered power, power delivery duration, and insertion depth. The results showed that the size of the coagulation necrosis is affected by all of the parameters tested. In general, the size of the region is enlarged with higher delivery of RF power, longer duration of power delivery, and shallower needle insertion and become relatively constant after a certain value. We also found that the solution proposed provides a low cost and practical way to minimizes unwanted post-biopsy effects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  5. Fulltext Nationwide study of factors associated with public's willingness to use home self-test kit for dengue fever in Malaysia
    Wong LP, Atefi N, AbuBakar S
    BMC Public Health, 2016 08 12;16:780.
    PMID: 27520825 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3409-y
    BACKGROUND: As there is no specific treatment for dengue, early detection and access to proper treatment may lower dengue fatality. Therefore, having new techniques for the early detection of dengue fever, such as the use of dengue test kit, is vitally important. The aims of the study were: 1) identify factors associated with acceptance of a home self-test kit for dengue fever if the dengue test is available to the public and 2) find out the characteristics of the test kits that influence the use of the dengue test kit.

    METHODS: A national telephone survey was carried out with 2,512 individuals of the Malaysian public aged 18-60 years old. Individuals were contacted by random digit dialling covering the whole of Malaysia from February 2012 to June 2013.

    RESULTS: From 2,512 participants, 6.1 % reported to have heard of the availability of the dengue home test kit and of these, 44.8 % expressed their intention to use the test kit if it was available. Multivariate logistic regressions indicated that participants with primary (OR: 0.65; 95 % CI: 0.43-0.89; p = 0.02, vs. tertiary educational level) and secondary educational levels (OR: 0.73; 95 % CI: 0.57-0.90; p = 0.01, vs. tertiary educational level) were less likely than participants with a tertiary educational level to use a home self-testing dengue kit for dengue if the kit was available. Participants with lower perceived barriers to dengue prevention (level of barriers 0-5) were less likely (OR: 0.67, 95 % CI: 0.53-0.85, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  6. Adsorption of methylene blue on low-cost adsorbents: a review
    Rafatullah M, Sulaiman O, Hashim R, Ahmad A
    J Hazard Mater, 2010 May 15;177(1-3):70-80.
    PMID: 20044207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.12.047
    In this article, the use of low-cost adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from solution has been reviewed. Adsorption techniques are widely used to remove certain classes of pollutants from waters, especially those which are not easily biodegradable. The removal of MB, as a pollutant, from waste waters of textile, paper, printing and other industries has been addressed by the researchers. Currently, a combination of biological treatment and adsorption on activated carbon is becoming more common for removal of dyes from wastewater. Although commercial activated carbon is a preferred adsorbent for color removal, its widespread use is restricted due to its relatively high cost which led to the researches on alternative non-conventional and low-cost adsorbents. The purpose of this review article is to organize the scattered available information on various aspects on a wide range of potentially low-cost adsorbents for MB removal. These include agricultural wastes, industrial solid wastes, biomass, clays minerals and zeolites. Agricultural waste materials being highly efficient, low cost and renewable source of biomass can be exploited for MB remediation. It is evident from a literature survey of about 185 recently published papers that low-cost adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding removal capabilities for MB.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  7. Determination of chest x-ray cost using activity based costing approach at Penang General Hospital, Malaysia
    Atif M, Sulaiman SA, Shafie AA, Saleem F, Ahmad N
    Pan Afr Med J, 2012;12:40.
    PMID: 22891098
    Activity based costing (ABC) is an approach to get insight of true costs and to solve accounting problems. It provides more accurate information on product cost than conventional accounting system. The purpose of this study was to identify detailed resource consumption for chest x-ray procedure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  8. An analysis of the length of hospital stay after acetaminophen overdose
    Zyoud SH, Awang R, Sulaiman SA, Al-Jabi SW
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2011 Jul;30(7):550-9.
    PMID: 20630911 DOI: 10.1177/0960327110377647
    Acetaminophen is one of the most commonly encountered medications in self-poisoning, with a high rate of morbidity. The prevalence and characteristics of acetaminophen intoxication associated with long hospital stay in patients are not well defined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  9. Fulltext Asthma guideline knowledge, adherence and cost of treating asthma at emergency department [Abstract]
    Khan AH, Syed Sulaiman A, Hassali AA, Saleem F, Aftab RA, Ali I
    Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A725.
    PMID: 27202576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.050
    Conference abstract:
    Objectives: To evaluate physician’s knowledge and adherence to asthma guideline adherence (GINA 2011) at emergency department of Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia and to calculate cost of adhered and non-adhered prescriptions
    Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate knowledge of GINA, 2011 asthma guideline at emergency department of Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. A total of 810 patient prescriptions of 27 doctors (30 prescriptions per doctor) were viewed to asses doctor’s guideline adherence. Patients’ prescriptions were categorised in terms of asthma severity as mild, moderate and severe. Prescriptions were labelled as adhered or non-adhered in terms of doctor treatment according to patient asthma severity as recommended by CPG (GINA 2011). Cost of adhered and non-adhered was calculated according to asthma severity.
    Results: Twenty two (81.5%) doctor’s had adequate GINA, 2011 asthma guideline knowledge (Mean 16.7, SD ± 1.5). Six hundred and twenty eight (77.5%) patients received guideline (GINA 2011) adhered pharmacotherapy. Six hundred and seventy eight (83.7%) patients asthma were classified as mild asthma, 128 (15.8%) patients were classified as moderate asthma and 4 (0.5%) patients were classified as severe asthma. Pearson correlation indicated no statistical significant association between asthma guideline adherence and asthma guideline knowledge score (p=0.27). Univariate analysis indicate that patients with age group 25-35 years and with hypertension as co-morbidity received significantly better pharmacotherapy (p=0.04, p=0.03 respectively). Total cost of 628 adhered prescriptions was RM 5792.87 whereas cost of 182 non-adhered prescriptions was RM 1759.09. Cost of single mild asthma adhered prescription (RM 9.18) was less as compared to non adhered mild asthma prescription (RM 10.39).
    Conclusions: Emergency doctor’s had adequate GINA, 2011 asthma guideline knowledge. Majority of patients received GINA, 2011 asthma guideline adhered pharmacotherapy. Cost effective medication can significantly reduce socioeconomic burden related to asthma.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  10. A prospective prescription cost analysis of asthma medication. [Abstract]
    Khan AH, Aftab RA, Sulaiman SA, Ali I
    Value Health, 2015 Nov;18(7):A840.
    PMID: 26534490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.373
    Objectives: To review patient’s prescriptions and calculate direct cost for the treatment and management of asthma
    Methods: A prospective cross-sectional detailed review of 180 prescriptions written by 6 doctors was conducted at respiratory department of Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Medication price was confirmed from the hospital formulary. Interview with the key personals were conducted to identify activities of each service provided to asthma patients. This was followed by determination of time taken to complete each activity using stopwatch. The duration was captured 15 times for each for three alternate days and summarized as the mean time (minutes) for each activity. The cost of each employee per single activity was obtained by multiplying the mean time (minute) spent by that employee doing a specific activity by his/her salary per minute
    Results: A total of 6 different classes of medications were prescribed to 180 asthma patients. β agonist was the most prescribed class of asthma medication that included Salbutamol 72 (39.8) and albuterol 20 (11) followed by Corticosteroids that included budisonide 59 (32.8%), prednisolone 16 (8.8%) and fluticasone 11 (6.1%). Fifty one (28.3%) units of budisonide/formoterol combination medication were prescribed followed by fluticasone/salmeterol 40 (22.2%). A total of RM 10610.79(USD) medication were prescribed to 180 asthma patients with average cost of RM 59.08 per patient. The combination medication of budisonide/formoterol RM.5253 (USD) made the majority of total cost of asthma medication. Spirometry was performed for all 180 patients at every hospital visit that costed RM 5400.00. The cost of services provided by doctors and nursing staff for 180 asthma patients for single visit was RM 1198.8 and RM 331.2 respectively
    Conclusions: Combination medication adds a substantial cost to over all asthma cost. Careful selection of asthma pharmacotherapy can greatly reduce medication cost without compromising on treatment outcomes
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  11. Fulltext Comparing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy for treatment of proximal ureteric calculi: a cost-effectiveness study
    Izamin I, Aniza I, Rizal AM, Aljunid SM
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Mar;64(1):12-21.
    PMID: 19852314
    Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) are two main methods of treating proximal ureteric stones. Success rates and cost-effectiveness of the two methods were compared. A total of 67 patients who underwent treatment between January 2007 and July 2007 at a state general hospital were included in the study. The success rate for ESWL group was 81.8% and for URS group was 84.6%. ESWL technique produced a significant higher overall cost per patient than URS (RM930.02 versus RM621.95 respectively). There was no significant difference in quality of patient's life. Cost-effectiveness ratio was lower for URS. The analysis suggested that URS was more cost-effective than ESWL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  12. Fulltext Comparing cost for elective lower segment caesarean section costing using top-down and activity based costing methods
    Aniza I., Putri, N., Azimatun Noor, A., Amrizal, M.N., Saperi, S., Aljunid, S.M.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2011;11(1):36-46.
    MyJurnal
    Top-down costing and activity based costing are the most frequent costing methodologies used for analyzing cost. Top-down costing is accomplished by assigning total expenditure of hospital to patient by apportioning the expenditure of cost centers (unit of service) in hospital to give the cost per patient per visit, per day or per admission. Conversely, activity based costing is accomplished by tracking every resource used by patient individually. Since this study started in 2009, Top-down costing calculation was based on financial year in 2009 with adjusted up to 12.6% from 2008 data. This percentage was taken based on the trend of hospital expenditure during 2005 till 2008. An assumption was made that non-financial data (performance and administrative data) for 2009 was similar to 2008. Top-down costing was calculated using Clinical Cost Modeling Software developed by Unit Case-mix of UKMMC to obtain cost of elective lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) per day at ward which was RM922. Whereas activity based costing was calculated using clinical pathway of elective LSCS. Given the average length of stay in 2009 was 4 days, the cost of elective LSCS according to top-down costing was RM3, 688 and activity based costing was RM1774. As a result, cost of elective LSCS is 108% higher using top-down costing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  13. Fulltext Higher Dietary Cost Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study among Selected Malaysian Adults
    Pondor I, Gan WY, Appannah G
    Nutrients, 2017 Sep 16;9(9).
    PMID: 28926947 DOI: 10.3390/nu9091028
    Food price is a determining factor of food choices; however its relationship with diet quality is unclear in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine socio-economic characteristics and daily dietary cost (DDC) in relation to diet quality in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and diet quality was estimated using a Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (M-HEI). DDC in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) was calculated from dietary intake and national food prices. Linear regression models were fitted to determine associations between DDC and M-HEI scores and predictors of diet quality. The mean M-HEI score of respondents was 61.31 ± 10.88 and energy adjusted DDC was RM10.71/2000 kcal (USD 2.49). The highest quintile of adjusted DDC had higher M-HEI scores for all respondents (Q1: 57.14 ± 10.07 versus Q5: 63.26 ± 11.54, p = 0.001). There were also positive associations between DDC and M-HEI scores for fruits (p < 0.001) and vegetables (p = 0.017) for all respondents. Predictors of diet quality included carbohydrate (β = 0290; p < 0.001) and fat intakes (β = -0.242; p < 0.001) and energy adjusted DDC (β = 0.196; p < 0.001). Higher dietary cost is associated with healthy eating among Malaysian adults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis*
  14. Fulltext Cost analysis of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation: a single blind randomised clinical trial comparing extracapsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification
    Rizal AM, Aljunid SM, Normalina M, Hanom AF, Chuah KL, Suzainah Y, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):380-6.
    PMID: 14750378
    A randomised single blinded clinical trial to compare the cost of cataract surgery between extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PEA) was conducted at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) between March and December 2000. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. The cost of a cataract surgery incurred by hospital, patients and households up to two months after discharge were included. The costs of training, loss of patients' income after discharge and intangible costs were excluded. Results showed that the average cost for one ECCE operation is RM1,664.46 (RM1,233.04-RM2,377.64) and for PEA is RM1,978.00 (RM1,557.87-RM3,334.50). During this short period of follow up, it can be concluded that ECCE is significantly cheaper than PEA by an average difference of RM 313.54 per patient (p < 0.001). Cost of equipment and low frequency of PEA technique done in HUKM were the two main reasons for the high unit cost of PEA as compared to ECCE.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  15. Fulltext Improving cost and time control in construction using Building Information Model (BIM): a review
    Tahir, M.M., Haron, N.A., Alias, A.H., Harun, A.N., Muhammad, I.B., Baba, D.L.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2018;26(1):21-36.
    MyJurnal
    The control of cost and time in construction projects is one of the most important issues in construction since the emergence of the construction industry. A successful project should meet not only quality output standards, but also time and budget objectives. The management and control of cost and time in construction is fundamental in every project. An effective cost and time management and control technique for construction projects is important in managing risk of cost overrun and delay in completion of projects. Construction projects are becoming more complex as they now involve many stakeholders from different disciplines. The emergence of Building Information Model (BIM), an alternative technology is believed to solve issues related to project cost and time control as it efficiently increases collaboration between stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to review and summarise the causes of delay and cost overrun in construction industries, which are the main causes of disputes and abandonment of projects in the industry. It was found that delays and cost overrun eat deep into the industry and leave the construction industry with a bad image for decades even with rapid advancement in technology. The review of the applications of BIM showed that most of the applications are geared towards minimising construction cost and time spent on projects. This means that the use of BIM in the management of construction projects has great impact on project cost and time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  16. Integrated forward and reverse supply chain: A tire case study
    Pedram A, Yusoff NB, Udoncy OE, Mahat AB, Pedram P, Babalola A
    Waste Manag, 2017 Feb;60:460-470.
    PMID: 27406308 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.06.029
    This paper attempts to integrate both a forward and reverse supply chain to design a closed-loop supply chain network (CLSC). The problem in the design of a CLSC network is uncertainty in demand, return products and the quality of return products. Scenario analyses are generated to overcome this uncertainty. In contrast to the existing supply chain network design models, a new application of a CLSC network was studied in this paper to reduce waste. A multi-product, multi-tier mixed integer linear model is developed for a CLSC network design. The main objective is to maximize profit and provide waste management decision support in order to minimize pollution. The result shows applicability of the model in the tire industry. The model determines the number and the locations of facilities and the material flows between these facilities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  17. Fulltext WHO key access antibiotics price, availability and affordability in private sector pharmacies in Pakistan
    Saleem Z, Saeed H, Akbar Z, Saeed A, Khalid S, Farrukh L, et al.
    Cost Eff Resour Alloc, 2021 Feb 16;19(1):10.
    PMID: 33593366 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-021-00263-x
    BACKGROUND: Poor availability and unaffordability of key access antibiotics may increase antimicrobial resistance in the community by promoting inappropriate antibiotic selection and abridged therapy compliance.

    OBJECTIVE: To check the prices, availability, and affordability of the World Health Organization (WHO) key access antibiotics in private sector pharmacies of Lahore, Pakistan.

    METHODOLOGY: A survey of WHO key access antibiotics from WHO essential medicine list 2017 was conducted in private sector pharmacies of 4 different regions of Lahore employing adapted WHO/HAI methodology. The comparison of prices and availability between originator brands (OB) and lowest price generics (LPG) were conducted followed by the effect of medicine price differences on patient's affordability. The data were analyzed using a preprogrammed WHO Microsoft excel workbook.

    RESULTS: The mean availability of OB products was 45.20% and the availability of LPGs was 40.40%. The OBs of co-amoxiclav, clarithromycin and metronidazole and LPGs of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin were easily available (100%) in all private sector pharmacies. Whereas, antibiotics like chloramphenicol, cloxacillin, nitrofurantoin, spectinomycin, and cefazolin were totally unavailable in all the surveyed pharmacies. The OBs and LPGs with high MPRs were ceftriaxone (OB; 15.31, LPG; 6.38) and ciprofloxacin (OB; 12.42, LPG; 5.77). The median of brand premium obtained was 38.7%, which varied between the lowest brand premium of 3.97% for metronidazole and highest for ceftriaxone i.e. 140%. The cost of standard treatment was 0.5 day's wage (median) if using OB and 0.4 day's wage (median) for LPG, for a lowest paid unskilled government worker. Treatment with OB and LPG was unaffordable for ciprofloxacin (OB; 2.4, LPG; 1.1) & cefotaxime (OB; 12.7, LPG; 8.1).

    CONCLUSION: There is dire need to properly implement price control policies to better regulate fragile antibiotic supply system so that the availability of both OB and LPG of key access antibiotics should be increased. The prices could be reduced by improving purchasing efficiency, excluding taxes and regulating mark-ups. This could increase the affordability of patients to complete their antibiotic therapy with subsequent reduction in antimicrobial resistance.

    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  18. Pharmaceutical Policy Reforms to Regulate Drug Prices in the Asia Pacific Region: The Case of Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Korea
    Hasan SS, Kow CS, Dawoud D, Mohamed O, Baines D, Babar ZU
    Value Health Reg Issues, 2019 May;18:18-23.
    PMID: 30414506 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2018.08.007
    Medicine price directly affects affordability and access to medicines particularly in countries where a major portion of pharmaceutical spending is through out-of-pocket payment, such as in the Asia Pacific region. We have undertaken a detailed appraisal of the pharmaceutical policy reforms to regulate drug prices in 3 developed (Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea) and 3 emerging (China, India, and Malaysia) economies of the Asia Pacific region. Despite continuous efforts by the authorities in adopting a wide range of reformatory pharmaceutical pricing policies to ensure affordability of medicines, these policies may not be optimal where drug prices were not lowered as expected (eg, in Korea). On the contrary, considerable price reductions of various pharmaceuticals have been observed in New Zealand and India because of the reform in pharmaceutical pricing policy. This review of pharmaceutical pricing reforms reinforces the need for constant monitoring by policy makers in Asia Pacific countries to regulate drug prices and to undertake reform in pharmaceutical pricing policies when necessary to ensure affordability and access to medicines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis/legislation & jurisprudence*; Costs and Cost Analysis/trends
  19. Illegal abortion: an attempt to assess its cost to the health services and its incidence in the community
    Figà-Talamanca I, Sinnathuray TA, Yusof K, Fong CK, Palan VT, Adeeb N, et al.
    Int J Health Serv, 1986;16(3):375-89.
    PMID: 3733306
    This article describes a study designed to test a method for assessing the cost to the health services of illegally induced abortion and the feasibility of estimating the incidence of induced abortion by a field interviewing approach. The participating centers included three hospitals in Ankara, Turkey; three hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria; one hospital in Caracas and one in Valencia, Venezuela; and two hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hospitalized abortion cases were classified as induced or spontaneous or as "probably induced," "possibly induced," or "unknown" according to a classification scheme comprising certain medical criteria. The sociodemographic characteristics of induced and spontaneous abortion cases were subjected to discriminant function analysis and the discriminating variables best characterizing the induced versus the spontaneous abortion groups were identified for each center. On the basis of this analysis, the "probably" and "possibly" induced and "unknown" categories were further classified as induced or spontaneous abortion, with stated probabilities. Thus an overall estimate is made of the proportion of all hospitalized abortions that can be considered illegally induced outside the hospital. Selected results on costs of induced and spontaneous abortion are shown. The method further tested the feasibility of obtaining valid survey data on abortion from the communities studied by re-interviewing the women hospitalized for induced and spontaneous abortion six months later in their homes. This exercise showed a degree of under-reporting of abortion that varied widely among centers, even among women who had admitted illegal induction at the time of hospitalization. The feasibility of estimating the incidence of illegal abortion by field studies is discussed in the light of these findings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
  20. Fulltext Healthcare utilization and cost of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis management in Thailand
    Dilokthornsakul P, Sawangjit R, Inprasong C, Chunhasewee S, Rattanapan P, Thoopputra T, et al.
    J Postgrad Med, 2016 Apr-Jun;62(2):109-14.
    PMID: 27089110 DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.180571
    Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening dermatologic conditions. Although, the incidence of SJS/TEN in Thailand is high, information on cost of care for SJS/TEN is limited. This study aims to estimate healthcare resource utilization and cost of SJS/TEN in Thailand, using hospital perspective.
    Matched MeSH terms: Costs and Cost Analysis
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links