DRUG POLICY AS PART OF SOCIAL POLICY - CHALLENGES AND SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE DISSEMINATION OF BIOSIMILAR MEDICINES, EUROPEAN LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

One of the basic functions that the state performs for its citizens is health care. It is carried out through social policy and, in particular, healthcare policy. This article focuses on health and drug policy, addressing the management of biosimilar medicines (biosimilars). These drugs, being cheaper equivalents of expensive original biological drugs (reference drugs), are a tool for managing healthcare expenditure. Their use generates savings for the system and, above all, increases the availability of safe therapies for patients. The purpose of the article is to situate drug policy in social policy, by identifying groups of challenges related to the prevalence of biosimilars and the corresponding European systemic solutions, as part of the implemented drug policy ensuring social security. To achieve the stated objective, a review of the European literature was conducted using search engine PubMed. The time limit was set to five years back (May 25, 2016 - May 25, 2021). The literature indicates that the glue and connecting point between all solutions is an appropriate drug policy implementing the other solutions. The article summarizes solutions used in other countries and organizes them in an innovative way. It can provide inspiration and hints for health care decision-makers, guiding the strategies created to promote the use of biosimilars.