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FARMAKOEKONOMIKA. Modern Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology

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FARMAKOEKONOMIKA. Modern Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology

The journal is the first and most reputable in Russia and EurAsEC (Eurasian Economic Community) countries peer-reviewed periodical that publishes materials on new medical technologies, economic optimization of drug therapy, quality-of-life and healthcare problems. 

The journal was founded in 2008.

The impact factor of this journal, as shown in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) is the highest among the periodicals in the areas of pharmacoeconomics, health technology assessment, and epidemiology. According to RSCI, the biennial impact factor (without self-citations) was 0.325 in 2013, 0.411 in 2014, and 0.722 in 2015.

The journal publishes various materials on pharmacoeconomics and pharmaco-epidemiology including the methodology, data analysis and results of studies on public health, medical technologies and economic aspects of drug therapies. The original articles and literature reviews cover Cost-of-Illness Analysis, Cost-Minimization Analysis, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA), Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Quality of Life Assessment (QoL), Patients' Preferences & Patients’ Satisfaction indices and related topics. 

Our aims and priorities focus on scientific and information support to the decision-makers and experts in public drug supply, health providers, research and education professionals, as well as pharmaceutic and insurance companies. 

Languages: Russian, English 

Periodicity: 4 issues per year (quarterly). 

Copies of this journal are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License: full-text materials are freely available to the public in an open access repository.

Distribution of the printed version: Russia, the EurAsian Economic Community countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Moldova) 

The editorial board of “FARMAKOEKONOMIKA. Modern Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology” includes leading experts in pharmaco-economics, clinical pharmacology, medical technology assessment, epidemiology, and public health from Russia, USA and Spain.

The editorial board maintains the policy of full compliance with all principles of publishing ethics. Our ethical standards and codes conform to those of top international science publishers. 

All submitted materials undergo a mandatory double-blind peer review

Media Certificate of Registration: ПИ №ФС77-32713 of August 01, 2008.
ISSN 2070-4909 (Print)
ISSN 2070-4933 (Online) 

By the decision of the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) of Russia, “FARMAKOEKONOMIKA. Modern Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology is included in the "List of top peer-reviewed scientific journals and publications" where scientists seeking academic degrees are required to publish their results. 

The journal appears in the Russian Universal Scientific Electronic Library (RUNEB) elibrary.ru and is also present in the database of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). Concise versions of major articles from this journal are published by the All-Russian Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (VINITI). The journal is also indexed by "Ulrich's periodicals Directory" – a global information system of periodicals and continued publications.

 

Current issue

Vol 17, No 3 (2024)

ORIGINAL ARTICLES 

285-300 52
Abstract

Background. In the Russian Federation, patients receive expensive drugs from the federal budget funds within High-Cost Nosology (HCN) Program.

Objective: to assess the impact of drug procurement centralization on the weighted average price (WAP) per 1 unit of measurement (UM) of a drug, the procurement structure within HCN Program over 5 years (2019–2023), as well as the annual volume of procurements for each nosology and the additional annual growth compared to the previous year.

Material and methods. The data on public procurement within HCN Program, regional and federal drug provision programs over the specified time period have been analyzed. During the analysis of individual nosologies, 22 drugs for the treatment of 12 HCN have been considered.

Results. The median value of the change of WAP per 1 UM for all drugs within HCN Program was 6.01%. Aplastic anemia was characterized by the lowest volume of procurements over 5 years, while for malignant neoplasms was the largest. The growth in procurements from year to year within nosologies varied from +1% to +661%, while a decrease was from –97% to –1%.

Conclusion. The results can be used as a basis for further research related to the process of implementation of preferential drug provision, and to development of additional tools to improve the efficacy of pharmacotherapy choice for included drugs and management decisions regarding the further expansion of HCN Program.

301-315 29
Abstract

Objective: to assess the demand for pharmacotherapy in risk groups on adverse cardiovascular (CV) events identified during prophylactic medical examination of the adult population according to the SCORE2 (Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation) scale, which is being introduced into clinical practice.

Material and methods. To analyze the economic consequences of including diagnostic examinations to assess the risk by SCORE and SCORE2 scales, a Markov model was developed, which described the course of lipid metabolism disorders in adult patients aged 40 to 69 years without concomitant diseases identified during prophylactic medical examination. The model cycle was 2 months (the average waiting time for response to therapy); the modeling horizon was 3 years; the calculated values were estimated for the period 2024–2026. The economic analysis of long-term consequences involved calculating the cost of pharmacotherapy and the costs associated with CV events at outpatient and inpatient stages of medical care. The costs of drug therapy were determined based on dosage regimens presented in instructions for medical use in Russia, and clinical guidelines.

Results. According to the modeling results, in the period 2024–2026, the administration of pharmacotherapy to reduce the risks of CV events will enable to achieve 23,224 potentially saved lives through exclusively government funding or 23,605 through mixed sources of funding (government and citizens’ own funds). The cost of the analyzed pharmacotherapy upon the introduction of the SCORE2 scale will be from 50.18 billion rubles (with government funding) to 318.14 billion rubles. Concurrently, pharmacocorrection will provide a reduction in the costs of inpatient treatment and outpatient medical services to 4.1 billion rubles due to the achieving of intended low-density lipoprotein level, and 1.6 billion rubles due to the achieving of intended triglyceride levels.

Conclusion. Using new SCORE2 scale may lead to changes in the practice of prescribing lipid-lowering prophylaxis of CV diseases, as well as to a sharp increase in the number of patients who may require earlier prescription of pharmacotherapy to prevent CV events.

316-323 11
Abstract

Background. As new high-tech methods of treatment and diagnostics are introduced into the basic compulsory health insurance program, the focus on creating separate regional healthcare systems is becoming less effective. The creation of the necessary infrastructure requires disproportionately large investments, while the needs of the population in most regions do not provide adequate loading of newly created facilities. A promising solution to these problems is the centralization of delivering certain types of medical care (MC) on the basis of interregional medical centers.

Objective: development of approaches to identifying medical interventions that are appropriate to provide in specialized interregional centers.

Material and methods. The criteria for selection of medical interventions including MC profiles and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) of diseases, which potentially require centralization were developed. On the basis of statistical analysis, data on specialized MC provided in inpatient settings by “Pediatric surgery” and “Traumatology and orthopedics” profiles were analyzed to identify regions with low and high levels of hospitalizations in order to determine the need for centralization or the creation of interregional centers.

Results. The analysis enabled to identify the territorial subjects of the Russian Federation (RF) where the issue of MC centralization would be relevant to increase its availability to the insured population in the territory of certain subject. Besides, the study identified regions, in which the number of hospitalizations significantly exceeded the average indicators in the RF. It is advisable to create interregional MC centers on the basis of such subjects.

Conclusion. The presented analysis of individual profiles and DRGs across the territorial subjects of the RF showed the objective differences in the extent of provided MC. The proposed methodology for determining DRGs and identifying subjects of the RF that have a surplus or deficit in the provision of MC can form the basis for approaches to identifying “MC centralization points”.

324-336 9
Abstract

Background. To plan effective and safe pharmacotherapy for inflammation and pain, it is important to evaluate the mechanisms and spectrum of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including their effects on human proteome.

Objective: to identify and evaluate the most significant specific differences of candidate molecule RRS-1 (N-{(Z)-2-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)1-[(propylamino)carbonyl]vinyl}benzamide) from other NSAIDs through differential chemoreactome analysis.

Material and methods. Chemoproteomic modeling of pharmacological effects of RRS-1 molecule and a number of well-known NSAIDs (diclofenac, nimesulide, ketorolac) on human proteome was carried out on the basis of numerical prediction algorithms over the space of heterogeneous feature descriptions, developed in the topological approach to recognition by Yu.I. Zhuravlev and K.V. Rudakov scientific school.

Results. Significant differences in the effects of the studied molecules were found for 1232 proteins of human proteome. The features of assessing interactions of the studied molecules with 47 target proteins, which most distinguished the effects of RRS-1 molecule from all others were identified. RRS-1 could activate adenosine and dopamine receptors, cannabinoid receptor 2 and GABAA receptor to a greater extent than other molecules. Activation of these receptors corresponded to anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and neuroprotective effects. RRS-1 could preferably inhibit a number of pro-inflammatory proteins, receptor bradykinin 1, metabotropic glutamate receptor 5, matrix metalloproteinases 8, 9, 12, and blood coagulation factor X. Additionally, RRS-1 molecule showed preferable inhibition of a number of kinases targeted in antitumor and anti-inflammatory therapy. RRS-1, less than other studied molecules, interacted with the receptors of vitamin D3, thyroid hormone, acetylcholine, cannabinoids and opioids, orexin, and various metabolic enzymes, which is important in assessment of the safety of using drugs based on this molecule. RRS-1 characteristically exhibited a moderate profile of antivitamin action: the total score of vitamin and mineral loss (7.4±3.7) was significantly less in comparison to diclofenac (11.7±4.5) and was actually on the same level as nimesulide (6.9±3.7) and ketorolac (6.7±3.6).

Conclusion. Chemoreactomic and chemoproteomic profiling of RRS-1 candidate molecule provided pre-experimental assessments of its efficacy and safety through modeling interactions with the human proteome.

337-344 57
Abstract

Background. Tea mistletoe (Scurrula atropurpurea (Blume)) and mango mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra) have been known as a potential medicine for several diseases.

Objective: to investigate the effect of the combination of methanolic extract Scurrula atropurpurea (Blume) and Dendrophthoe pentandra (MESA-DP) on rat liver function and structure using serological and histopathological analysis.

Material and methods. This study was experimental during 28 days using 20 rats divided into four groups (Group 1 as a control, while Groups 2, 3, and 4 were given MESA-DP at doses 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg of body weight, respectively). The liver histopathological structure was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The liver function assessment included total bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA analysis (ANalysis Of VAriance) and performed via SPSS Statistics 17.0 (IBM, USA).

Results. The administration of MESA-DP did not show significant differences at all doses for the liver rat function in total bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides (p>0.05), while globulin, total protein, HDL and LDL showed significant results (p<0.05). The liver histopathological structure showed the number of pyknotic, karyorrhectic and karyolytic cells in rats after MESA-DP administration compared to controls, which grew with increasing dose.

Conclusion. The liver function in rats after being exposed to MESA-DP was not affected in terms of total bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. However, using MESA-DP increased the necrotic liver cells. It may be beneficial for the liver health of experimental animals taking into account the correct dosage.

345-357 285
Abstract

Background. Chemical derivatives of vitamin B12 are characterized by a wide range of pharmacological effects. It is important to learn how to establish relationships between changes of the corrin ring structure in vitamin B12 derivatives and changes in pharmacological properties.

Objective: to evaluate the interaction of six vitamin B12 derivatives (aquacobalamin, diaquacobinamide, aquacyano-forms of heptaethanolamine, heptaethylenediamine, heptamethyl and heptabutyl cobyrinates) with human proteome proteins.

Material and methods. Using the method of chemoinformational (chemoproteomic) analysis, implemented within the framework of algebraic recognition theory and topological data analysis, the constants of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of human proteome proteins were assessed.

Results. Significant differences were found in the interactions of the studied molecules with 1200 proteins. It was shown that the chemoproteomic profiles of each of the compounds form three groups of molecules with similar proteomic properties: (1) aquacobalamin, (2) diaquacobinamide, aquacyano-forms of heptaethanolamine and heptaethylenediamine cobyrinates, (3) aquacyano-forms of heptamethyl and heptabutyl cobyrinates. A more detailed analysis of the chemoproteomic profiles of the studied compounds using the GO (Gene Ontology) nomenclature of biological functions of proteins made it possible to identify functional GO categories indicating differences in the biological effects of the studied compounds: neuroprotective regulation of neurotransmitter activity (serotonin receptor activity, cholinergic synapses, regulation of dopamine secretion, receptor thyroid hormones), reduction of inflammation (inhibition of cytokine biosynthesis, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta, I-kappa-B kinases / nuclear factor kappa В, leukocyte migration), etc.

Conclusion. The profiles of differences in the pharmacological properties of the studied compounds with respect to their effects on neuroprotection, neurotransmitter metabolism, and inflammation were identified and described.

358-367 146
Abstract

Background. Synthetic derivatives of vitamin B12 exhibit various physical, chemical and pharmacological properties. The development of methods for predicting the properties of these molecules based on their chemical structure is important for the targeted organic synthesis of corrins with the desired properties and range of applications in pharmacology.

Objective: chemoreactomic assessment of the antioxidant effects of vitamin B12 and its derivatives: aquacobalamin, diaquacobinamide, aquacyano-forms of heptaethanolamine-, heptaethylenediamine-, heptamethyl- and heptabutylcobyrinates.

Material and methods. The study was conducted using the method of chemoreactomic analysis, implemented within the framework of the algebraic theory of recognition and topological data analysis and based on the theory of isomorphism of labeled graphs and modern methods for predicting numerical target variables. To carry out chemoinformatic chemoreactome analysis, a special problem-oriented theory was developed within the boundaries of the combinatorial theory of solvability and the antioxidant properties of vitamin B12 derivatives were assessed (140 activities in total).

Results. Significant differences were found in the properties of the studied substances in relation to oxidative stress. In test systems based on the oxidant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, at different exposure times to molecules (15–60 min) in different concentrations (10–125 μM, 50–3000 μg/ml), aquacobalamin exhibited the most pronounced antioxidant properties at lower concentrations (up to 100 µM). At higher concentrations of substances (125 μM), the antioxidant activity of other vitamin B12 derivatives was higher. All studied molecules had a moderate antimicronutrient effect (total score of about 3.0; for most synthetic drugs, this score is higher than 3.6). Aquacobalamin was characterized by the least pronounced antimicronutrient effect (total score less than 0.8), which indicates an almost complete absence of antivitamin and antimineral action, corresponding to an average increase in the risk of a particular micronutrient excretion by no more than 5%.

Conclusion. All the studied compounds exert antioxidant properties to one degree or another. Regardless of the choice of simulated test systems for assessing oxidative stress, aquacobalamin demonstrated antioxidant effects to the greatest extent and practically did not stimulate the loss of other micronutrients.

REVIEW ARTICLES 

368-375 77
Abstract

Background. To reveal the full complexity of the relationship between medical intervention and disease outcome, new methods of analysis and modeling are actively being developed, and tools are becoming more complex, for the use of which it is important to understand their limitations and advantages.

Objective: conducting a critical review of the main open-source packages in R environment for conducting pharmacoeconomic analysis.

Material and methods. The selection of libraries used for pharmacoeconomic analysis in the R environment was carried out based on the keywords “health economic”, “DALY”, “QALY” in the CRAN repository. Only libraries that were valid on the date of the review were included in the study. The selected 10 R software libraries for pharmacoeconomic analysis were reviewed from the standpoint of the number of tools they support, the format of the data used, the possibilities of visualizing results and generating reports, the presence of vignettes and the possibilities of parallelizing calculations.

Results. The selected libraries can be divided into three classes: packages for calculating various quality of life indices, libraries for calculating indicators and indices of economic effectiveness of medical interventions (DALY, QALY, ICER), libraries for performing sensitivity analysis of the effect of medical interventions based on decision tree algorithms and Markov models. The libraries “heemod”, “hesim”, “rdesign” allow building simple Markov and semi-Markov models, but preference should be given to “heemod” due to the presence of vignettes. To conduct an analysis using cohort Markov models, partitioned survival models, it is recommended to use the “hesim” library, if there are gaps in the results, it is recommended to use “missingHE”. The “rdesigin” library allows building decision trees indicating the risk of developing certain conditions and the cost of therapy. The “survHE” library for survival analysis, used specifically in health economics, allows you to carry out probabilistic sensitivity analysis based on survival models. To calculate the survival models themselves to identify predictors of a patient's transition from one health state to another, you will need to additionally install the “flexsurv” library. To visualize the results of pharmacoeconomic modeling, you should additionally install the “diagram” and “ggplot2” libraries.

Conclusion. The conducted critical review of open source libraries in R environment can serve as a navigator for choosing a tool for performing pharmacoeconomic analysis.

376-383 12
Abstract

The level of serum and urinary cystatin C (CysC) can be modulated by some factors (weight, gender, age, ethnicity, smoking), diseases (sepsis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypo- and hyperthyroidism) as well as administration of glucocorticosteroids, but all of them do not affect its prognostic and diagnostic value in acute kidney injury (AKI). The CysC concentration can predict adverse outcomes, such as in-hospital and out-hospital mortality, chronicity of renal dysfunction, the demand and duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The sCysC is an independent predictor of RRT completion in critically ill AKI patients.

384-395 178
Abstract

Objective: analysis of domestic scientific literature to identify ways of applying the Beers criteria, frequency of prescriptions and the structure of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly patients.

Material and methods. The search for publications was carried out in Google Scholar abstract database, as wel as in eLibrary and CyberLeninka information-bearing networks for the period from 2013 to 2023. In total, 34 articles were found, among which 18 sources used Beers criteria as a tool for identifying PIMs.

Results. In inpatient therapeutic departments, the maximum frequency of PIMs prescriptions according to the Beers criteria was 66.6% of cases, in surgical departments – 70%, in psychiatric departments – 90.4%, and in outpatient treatment settings – 28%. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at different diseases were the most prescribed group of PIMs in both inpatients and outpatients. Surgical hospitals took the leading position in prescribing these drugs; specifically, more than 2/3 of elderly patients (75%) received them. According to two studies describing clinical cases of drug-induced falls in patients, the Beers criteria were effective in identifying drugs that can provoke this condition. One of papers presented application of Beers criteria to assess the economic affordability of replacing PIMs with safer new generation drugs.

Conclusion. An analysis of domestic literature data has shown various ways of applying the Beers criteria, the frequency of prescriptions, and the most common PIMs. This information will help healthcare workers to be more wary of such drugs and think over applying the Beers criteria in routine practice of geriatric patients, which will further prevent or reduce the number of adverse drug reactions.

396-408 28
Abstract

The use of biologically active supplements (BAS) has gradually expanded over the past 20 years. The public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as concerns about vaccines in many parts of the world have led to a particularly increased interest in using BAS as an alternative for protection and treatment of this new disease to strengthen the immune system and minimize the risk of possible complications. Abroad, as well as in the Russian Federation, there is a sharp increase in BAS sales. In this regard, questions arise about their impact on human health in general. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated both the beneficial properties of BAS and their negative and even toxic effects. Besides, considering the global interest in this problem, there is a need to clarify the legal status of BAS. The object of this review was to summarize the available foreign data on the regulation of using BAS and the corresponding market trends, including a comprehensive analysis of the legislative and regulatory aspects of BAS in the United States, China, and the European Union. The structure and volume of the BAS market were assessed in countries, which primarily produce and import them, and the user profile was analyzed additionally.

409-415 25
Abstract

Objective: to explore the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical medicine and healthcare, and to determine the prospects for its implementation to improve diagnosis, treatment, and medical data management.

Material and methods. A literature review on the main terms and concepts of AI, its classification by application area, technologies, and methodologies was carried out. The learning methods such as supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning were considered, as well as examples of AI application in various areas of medicine, including disease diagnosis and personalized medicine.

Results. AI shows significant potential in improving diagnosis, optimizing treatment processes, and managing healthcare resources. Main application areas are related to medical image analysis, developing individualized treatment plans, and healthcare management. However, using AI faces challenges such as data availability and bias, fragmentation of systems, and complexity of algorithm interpretation.

Conclusion. Despite the existing challenges, the implementation of AI in medicine has great prospects, including improved diagnostic accuracy, reduced task completion time, and development of personalized medicine. It is important to consider the ethical aspects and the demand for further study of AI application in medicine to achieve the best results.