Ateneo - UPO

Part 1: Introduction to economics and management and the companies in which pharmacists operate (community pharmacies and pharmaceutical industry). The pharmaceutical market and its regulation. The research and development of medicines. The indicators of pharmaceutical expenditure and consumption.

Part 2: Health Technology Assessment and its domains. Economic evaluations and budget impact analysis applied to medicines.

Part 3: Management issues: accounting, marketing, logistics.

Part 1: Gianfrate F. Il mercato dei farmaci tra salute e business, Franco Angeli, 2014. Other readings.

Part 2: Mennini FS, Cicchetti A, Fattore G, Russo P. La Valutazione Economica dei Programmi Sanitari. Terza Edizione, Il Pensiero Scientifico, 2011. Other readings.

Part 3: Maggi D (a cura di), Economia dell'azienda farmacia e del settore farmaceutico, Egea, 2013. Other readings.

The slides presented in class and other readings are uploaded to DIR.

Understanding the regulatory environment of community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies, the innovation process in the pharmaceutical field, issues concerning the management of community pharmacies and the comparative evaluation of drugs from an economic perspective. Learning how to apply the knowledge to concrete cases of economic evaluation of drugs, marketing and logistics in the community pharmacy. Developing a collaborative and problem-solving approach, independent judgment and communication skills through group works.

Knowledge of English

The course consists of lectures, exercises and group discussion of business cases / documents. Group work is also foreseen. The active participation of students to all activities is essential, in particular to the group work, which is considered in the final evaluation of the student.

None

The assessment will be based on (i) a general written test (max 25 points) on all the topics of the course; the written test will consist of open questions and exercises; (ii) a group work (max 7 points); the evaluation of group work will be based on a written paper (Word document, max 10 pages) + a PowerPoint presentation (max 10 slides). Both documents (Word document and PowerPoint presentation) should be delivered to the teacher the day before the discussion, with the indication in the first sheet of the Name, Surname and registration number of all participants in the group. The methods of forming the groups, presenting the group work and the minimum attendance requirements of the members will be communicated during the course.
If a student decides not to participate in group work, he/she will carry out individual work agreed with the teacher. The individual work (Word document, max 10 pages) must be delivered at the time of the written test; otherwise, it will be assigned a null score. It is possible to repeat the exam (but not the individual and group work) in subsequent sessions, keeping the score of the group or individual work valid.

Part 1: Introduction to economics and management. The definition of market and industry. The organisations where pharmacists work. Introduction to the pharmaceutical market. The regulation of the pharmaceutical market and distribution; the remuneration of pharmacies. Indicators of drug expenditure and consumption.

Part 2. Economic evaluation applied to medicines; types of economic evaluations; definition and evaluation of benefits and costs; decision-making models. Budget impact analysis. Critical evaluation of economic evaluations.

Part 3: Accounting. Marketing and sales. Logistics and warehouse management.

Having the ability to understand how the environment influences the performance of the companies in which the graduated in pharmacy operates and to keep up to date on the evolution of this environment. Applying managerial tools to make effective and efficient the community pharmacies and the diverse functions of the pharmaceutical companies (research and development, regulatory affairs, market access, marketing and sales). Knowing how to carry out cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses. Having the ability to face specific managerial issues, knowing how to work in a group and how to conduct a field research in the area of economics and management.