저가구매 장려금 효과 분석을 통한 제도 개선 방안 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the status and effects of the incentive for the purchase of low-priced drugs, suggest improvements to the system, and provide research for the financial management of pharmaceuticals in Korea. The method of this study is quantitative and qualitative analyses. The main data for quantitative research was the incentive for the purchase of low-priced drugs data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service(HIRA) from 2014 to 2021. In addition, qualitative research was conducted through in-depth interviews with medical institutions participating and non-participating in this system. The first results of the study were that the pharmaceutical cost was reduced by 6% to 7% compared with the upper limit of the drug price through the low-cost purchase incentive system. Tertiary general hospitals had the highest proportion of cost savings due to the high pharmaceutical cost, but the lowest savings rate. In clinics, the savings effect was higher. Public hospitals had higher cost savings than private hospitals and an increased savings effect. Conversely, most private hospitals were tertiary general hospitals with very low savings rates. Second, the interview results showed that tertiary general hospitals evaluated the system negatively compared with its high reputation. Most general hospitals and clinics also evaluated it negatively due to a lack of administrative power. However, clinics had similar proportions of positive and negative opinions, and pharmacies could not evaluate the system. Third, it was shown that the effect of saving will continue if the incentive system operates continuously, but the ability to achieve an effect above the current level is limited. As improvements for this system, this study suggests identifying real problems, devising ways to promote participation in the system, and adjusting the relationship between the drug pricing reduction system.