Evaluation of Outsourcing of Pharmacy Services to the Private Sector in the Family physician Based Health Centers in Khorasan Razavi Province: An Evidence-Based Approach to Policy Making

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Network Development and Health Promotion, Health Center of Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran

2 Family Physician Unit, Health Center of Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: During the recent years, Iran’s Ministry of health and medical education has considered the strategy of outsourcing of medical services to make rational government size, strengthening accountability of the system and improving efficiency of the health services. The objective of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and efficacy of outsourcing of pharmacy services of health care centers to the private sector with the approach of evidence-based policy making.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 7 different cities were randomly selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, reviewing document of Financial and Medicinal Affairs Unit. Formal and content validity of the instruments were confirmed by expert panel and reliability confirmed with Test-retest and Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using T-test and Wilcoxon rank test.
Results: By outsourcing of drug services to private sector, it was found that large amount of expenditures in personnel costs was saved. Income after the assignment was shown to increase about 2 times (P<0.001). The mean number of prescriptions, showed 48% increase (P<0.01). Authorities were more satisfied with the results of this outsourcing.
Conclusion: This study showed that there was an improvement in effectiveness and efficacy of pharmacy services. Hence, it was found that outsourcing of medical services to private sector was successful.
               

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