Healthcare System Framework Research Articles

This comparative study analyzed the domestic market for domiciliary incontinence pads in five European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom) according to a common scheme. National legislation, prescription procedures, delivery modalities, and the market situation were considered. The analysis involved reviewing the literature on incontinence devices in national and international journals and interviewing a selected expert panel of market operators in each country, composed of at least one civil servant, one physician, one distributor, and one manufacturer. No specific relationship was found between the health care system framework and the pads market, except for a greater inclination towards home care in national health services. In all these countries except France pads are reimbursed. The distribution mix varied widely, ranging from Denmark, where home delivery is mandatory, to Italy, where any channel can be used. In general, the study did not help identify any specific country that can be used as a benchmark for pad delivery, each one dealing with these products in a different way.

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