Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran
مجله پزشکی جمهوری اسلامی ایران
Med J Islam Repub Iran
Medical Sciences
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir
2
journal2
1016-1430
2251-6840
8
10.18869/mjiri
14
8888
13
en
jalali
1400
10
1
gregorian
2022
1
1
36
1
online
1
fulltext
en
Financing of Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs in A Sanctioned Country: A Qualitative Study
Health Management and Information Sciences
Health Management and Information Sciences
Original Research
Original Research
<strong>Background: </strong>Rare diseases-related services, care, and drugs (Orphan Drugs) in a lower-middle-income country such as Iran with international limitations due to the sanctions is a challenging issue in terms of their financing and providing. This study aims to address financing issues related to rare diseases in a lower-middle-income country that is under international sanctions.<br>
<strong>Methods:</strong> This is a qualitative study that has been conducted through 14 interviews with experts from different stakeholders in the country to find the challenges of financing rare diseases and orphan drugs in Iran through a content analysis according to Mayring’s approach. We accomplished this study based on the World Health Organization’s universal health coverage model.<br>
<strong>Results:</strong> We achieved four themes and 12 sub-themes. The themes are the unstable and sanctioned economy including 4 sub-themes; extending the covered population by the social security net in the country including 2 sub-themes; reducing the cost-sharing for the covered population including 4 sub-themes; including more orphan drugs and services including 2 sub-themes.<br>
<strong>Conclusion:</strong> The financing of rare diseases and orphan drugs in Iran is challenged by several contextual and internal factors. The political issues seem to have the main contribution of the challenge to develop an efficient and effective financing mechanism for rare diseases and orphan drugs. This is especially can be related to the politicians’ commitments and pursuing an effective plan to allocate the financial resources to rare diseases. However, the country’s economic situation, especially at the macro level because of international limitations, has intensified the problem.
Rare Diseases, Orphan Drugs, Resource Allocation, Health Care Financing, Universal Health Coverage
351
359
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-7282-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Seyran
Naghdi
naghdi.s@tak.iums.ac.ir
200319475328460069474
200319475328460069474
No
Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadreza
Maleki
maleki.mr@iums.ac.ir
200319475328460069475
200319475328460069475
No
Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Soudabeh
Vatankhah
vatankhah.s@iums.ac.ir
200319475328460069476
200319475328460069476
Yes
Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran