PBI48 EQUALITY IN ACCESS TO DMARDS IN TURKEY

Abstract

Equality in healthcare is one of the main objectives of the health systems all over the World. Access to Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatoid Drugs (DMARDs) especially biologic drugs are important for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine how equality in access to DMARDs in Turkey impacts outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. Research is a based on expert opinion. A Delphi panel was conducted together the information Equality in Access to DMARDs in TURKEY. The hypothesis of the study was tested through opinions from experts in rheumatology in Turkey by employing the modified Delphi method to generate a consensus. Turkish Social Security (SS) covers 98,5% of the Turkish population. SS Institution reimburses cost of registered drugs for covered population including DMARDs. Under the current system of SS, there are provisions in the Turkish laws to procure medications, if they lack marketing authorization and are not available in the country. However, procuring such medications need to be supported by prescriptions for a treating specialist physician and further approved by the Ministry of Health. In many cases, to reduce the waiting times, the Turkish Ministry of Health has developed a list of pre-approved medicines for procurement from abroad (referred as “Abroad Drug List”), for which individual permissions from the Ministry of Health is not required. The Turkish Parliament passed a new law removing the requirement that the Turkish Pharmacists Union be the only institution to procure medicines from abroad which did not have a marketing authorization in Turkey. In Turkey, there is no distinction or discrimination between individuals generally for access to medicines and this is no different when it concerns the access to DMARDs for treating RA. Everyone has equal access to medicines. Equality and access to quality healthcare is assured to the citizens within the Turkish Constitution.