Do medicine prices reflect therapeutic value? Evidence from a comparison of the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) pharmaceutical market is estimated to reach 4.7 billion by 2025. Although several price reduction initiatives have been implemented, no prior study has systematically compared UAE medicine prices with those of a developed country. This study aimed to compare the pharmaceutical prices between UAE and Australia.

Methods

Retail medicine price data were obtained from publicly available database sources: Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Medicines in the UAE that cost more than twice their Australian counterparts were further assessed for their therapeutic benefit using the France Haute Autorite de Sante Amélioration du Service Médical Rendu (ASMR) rating. Price ratios were calculat

SUBMITTER: Ashraf A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12570705 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature