Pharmakoökonomie: Open Access

A Review of the Evidence from the Middle Eastern Countries on the Facilitators and Barriers of Pharmacoeconomic Studies

Abstract

Saud Tan*

Pharmacoeconomic studies provide valuable information for healthcare decision-makers by assessing the economic impact of pharmaceutical interventions. Despite their importance, such studies face several challenges and barriers that may hinder their conduct and implementation. This review aims to explore the barriers and facilitators of pharmacoeconomic studies in Middle Eastern countries and suggest potential solutions to overcome these challenges.A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases for relevant articles published from January 2010 to December 2021. The search was limited to studies conducted in Middle Eastern countries and those reporting on barriers and facilitators of pharmacoeconomic studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. A total of 25 studies were included in this review. The main barriers to conducting pharmacoeconomic studies in Middle Eastern countries included limited funding, lack of trained personnel, inadequate data availability, and cultural barriers. On the other hand, the main facilitators of conducting such studies were the presence of supportive policies and regulations, collaborations between academia and industry, and the availability of skilled researchers. Moreover, the use of modeling techniques and the development of local pharmacoeconomic guidelines were suggested as potential solutions to overcome the identified barriers.