International Drug Price Indicator Guide: 2007 (Print)
The International Drug Price Indicator Guide provides an indication of pharmaceutical prices on the international market. Updated annually, the Guide contains a spectrum of prices from pharmaceutical suppliers, international development organizations, and government agencies.
The Guide aims to make price information more widely available in order to improve procurement of medicines of assured quality for the lowest possible price. Comparative price information is important for getting the best price, and this is an essential reference for anyone involved in the procurement of pharmaceuticals.
With nearly 75 new items added this year (for a total of over 1100 items) and prices from 30 sources, the Guide is more comprehensive than ever.
The International Drug Price Indicator Guide is published in collaboration with WHO to make drug price information more widely available. Better availability of comparative price information will contribute to equitable access to health services and commodities, including essential medicines that are necessary for the prevention and treatment of prevalent diseases.
Because the potential cost of providing a full range of treatments for common diseases is high, prices and financing are inescapable factors in determining access to essential medicines. Lower prices can be obtained through bulk purchasing, competition, skilful negotiation, and sound supply management. Comparative price information assists in price negotiations, in locating new supply sources, and in assessing the efficiency of local procurement systems.
Readers can use the International Drug Price Indicator Guide for many purposes, including to--
- determine the probable cost of pharmaceutical products for their programs
- compare current prices paid to those available on the international market
- assess the potential financial impact of changes to a drug list
- support rational drug use education
Since 2000, editions of the International Drug Price Indicator Guide have been produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The 2007 edition was supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA).