MyMedR

Fulltext Exploring the willingness to pay for a quality-adjusted life-year in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Shafie AA, Lim YW, Chua GN, Hassali MA

Clinicoecon Outcomes Res, 2014;6:473-81.

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is typically compared with a reference value to support the cost-effectiveness of a decision. One method for estimating this value is to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). This study was conducted to explore the WTP for a QALY in the Malaysian population.

Fulltext Determination of Cost-Effectiveness Threshold For Malaysia

Lim YW, Shafie AA, Chua GN, Hassali MA

Value Health, 2014 Nov;17(7):A438.

PMID: 27201168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1137

A survey exploring knowledge and perceptions of general practitioners towards the use of generic medicines in the northern state of Malaysia

Chua GN, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Awaisu A

Health Policy, 2010 May;95(2-3):229-35.

PMID: 20044165 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2009.11.019

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and perceptions towards generic medicines in a northern state of Malaysia.
METHOD: A postal cross-sectional survey involving registered GPs in Penang, Malaysia was undertaken. A 23-item questionnaire was developed, validated and administered on the GPs. Eighty-seven GPs responded to the survey (response rate 26.8%).
RESULTS: The majority of the respondents (85.1%) claimed that they actively prescribed generic medicines in their practice. On the other hand, only 4.6% of the respondents correctly identified the Malaysia's National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau's bioequivalence standard for generic products. There were misconceptions among the respondents about the concepts of "bioequivalence", "efficacy", "safety", and "manufacturing standards" of generic medicines. GPs in this survey believed that a standard guideline on brand substitution process, collaboration with pharmacists, patient education and information on safety and efficacy of generic medicines were necessary to ensure quality use of generics. Furthermore, advertisements and product bonuses offered by pharmaceutical companies, patient's socio-economic factors as well as credibility of manufacturers were factors reported to influence their choice of medicine.
CONCLUSION: Although it appeared that GPs have largely accepted the use of generic medicines, they still have concerns regarding the reliability and quality of such products. GPs need to be educated and reassured about generic products approval system in Malaysia concerning bioequivalence, quality, and safety. The current findings have important implications in establishing generic medicines policy in Malaysia.

Determination of Cost-Effectiveness Threshold for Health Care Interventions in Malaysia

Lim YW, Shafie AA, Chua GN, Ahmad Hassali MA

Value Health, 2017 09;20(8):1131-1138.

PMID: 28964445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.04.002

BACKGROUND: One major challenge in prioritizing health care using cost-effectiveness (CE) information is when alternatives are more expensive but more effective than existing technology. In such a situation, an external criterion in the form of a CE threshold that reflects the willingness to pay (WTP) per quality-adjusted life-year is necessary.

OBJECTIVES: To determine a CE threshold for health care interventions in Malaysia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, contingent valuation study was conducted using a stratified multistage cluster random sampling technique in four states in Malaysia. One thousand thirteen respondents were interviewed in person for their socioeconomic background, quality of life, and WTP for a hypothetical scenario.

RESULTS: The CE thresholds established using the nonparametric Turnbull method ranged from MYR12,810 to MYR22,840 (~US $4,000-US $7,000), whereas those estimated with the parametric interval regression model were between MYR19,929 and MYR28,470 (~US $6,200-US $8,900). Key factors that affected the CE thresholds were education level, estimated monthly household income, and the description of health state scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is no single WTP value for a quality-adjusted life-year. The CE threshold estimated for Malaysia was found to be lower than the threshold value recommended by the World Health Organization.

Fulltext Patterns and predictors of non-prescription medicine use among Malaysian pharmacy patrons: a national cross sectional study

Hassali MA, Mohamad Yahaya AH, Shafie AA, Saleem F, Chua GN, Aljadhey H

PLoS One, 2013;8(4):e59231.

PMID: 23573195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059231

The study aims to evaluate the predictors of non-prescription medicine purchasing patterns among pharmacy patrons in Malaysia.

Job satisfaction, organisation commitment and retention in the public workforce: a survey among pharmacists in Malaysia

Chua GN, Yee LJ, Sim BA, Tan KH, Sin NK, Hassali MA, et al.

Int J Pharm Pract, 2014 Aug;22(4):265-74.

PMID: 25121161

The aims of the study were to assess job satisfaction and organisational commitment among pharmacists working in the public sector and its influence on their likelihood to stay within the public workforce.

Displaying all 6 publications