Pharma basic

Question 1

Opening sound bite

Answer 1

Corruption within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector is one of the largest factors preventing the achievement of global health goals.

Question 2

Scale of corruption in pharma & healthcare

Answer 2

• In 2010 (according to the WHO), global spending on health was nearly $7 trillion
• An estimated 10 – 25% of global spending on health public procurement is lost to corruption
• In 17 countries surveyed in 2013, > 70% over public believed medical & health services to be corrupt or extremely corrupt

Question 3

Why does corruption in pharma/healthcare matter?

Answer 3

Direct impact on victims and society:

• Less effective healthcare: Ability to provide high quality medical care is disrupted by theft/ misallocation of public resources: Cor also increases risk of unsafe medicines reaching the market & therefore likelihood of patients using them.
• Economic efficiency: Reduced flow of funds to healthcare + consequential effects of increased health burden on national economies.

Question 4

Types of corruption

Answer 4

1. Counterfeit, falsified & substandard drugs
2. Diversion of public resources
3. Pharmaceutical monopolies
4. Reliance on regulators
5. Pharma-physician interaction
6. Procurement
7. Demand-side bribery