The Forum of International Research & Development Pharmaceutical Companies (the Forum) in co-operation with the independent scientific journal Medicina danes and Finance Business Academy organized the fourth annual conference The Value of Innovation. This year’s main topic was the importance of evidence-based decision-making process in the healthcare system.
One of the best practice examples was explained by Prof. Matija Tomšič, MD., PhD, Head of the Clinical Department of Rheumatology, Ljubljana UMC. Slovene rheumatologists use a central database – a registry called Bio.Rx.si. He presented challenges during the implementation of the registry and its success after a few years; it contributed to implementing national guidelines in everyday practice. Simply by sometimes time-consuming data entries into the registry, they achieved a regular follow-up on the side effects of drugs, transparency of therapy effectiveness and additional data for their research work. Rheumatologists managed to decrease the incapacitating index and halved hospitalisations despite the growing rate of patients. Systematic work by BioRX.si has dramatically changed treatment of rheumatology patients. “Modern therapeutic options may represent higher costs for the system in the beginning; however, in the long run indirect costs are lower,” he explained.
Registry of diabetic patients in Croatia CroDiab is a similar example of efforts to lessen the burden of the disease. It was presented by Tamara Poljičanin, MD., PhD., representative of the Croatian Institute of Public Health. The impact of this registry was demonstrated by a significant improvement of the main metabolic parameters, better survival rates, prevention of complications, and the effect correlated with the ratio of included patients; it also allows analysis of the treatment and the effectiveness of diabetes healthcare interventions. Partnerships between different institutions resulted in collection of various data which have over the years made a significant contribution to understanding the burden of chronic disease and cost savings; they have also made it possible to prepare strategies and actions based on data-driven analysis and decisions.
Among the conference conclusions, the need for management of unbiased data from hospitals and clinics was highlighted. These data could make decisions of healthcare policy makers evidence-based; however, stimulation is needed to support these efforts.
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