8 research outputs found

    Ongoing measures to enhance the efficiency of prescribing of proton pump inhibitors and statins in The Netherlands: influence and future implications

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    Background: Multiple reforms have recently been introduced in The Netherlands to improve prescribing efficiency. These include preference pricing policies for multiple sourced products, guidelines, and quality and efficiency targets, as well as regular pharmacotherapy meetings. Objectives: Assess the influence of these multiple measures on prescribing efficiency. Methods: Retrospective observational study of all reimbursed prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors and statins between 2000 and 2010 using the Genees-en hulpmiddelen Informatie Project (Health Insurance) database. Utilization measured in defined daily doses. Narrative review of reforms. Results: Reimbursed expenditure for the proton pump inhibitors fell by 58% in 2010 versus 2000 despite a threefold increase in utilization, helped by increasing utilization of generic omeprazole at only 2% of the prepatent loss price in 2010. Similarly, reimbursed expenditure for the statins fell by 14% in 2010 versus 2000 despite a 3.8-fold increase in utilization. Again, this was helped by increasing utilization of generic simvastatin at only 2% of the prepatent loss originator price. Conclusion: Multiple supply and demand measures, including the preference pricing policy, appear to have appreciably enhanced proton pump inhibitor and statin prescribing efficiency, providing examples to other countries. </jats:p

    The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies

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    International audienceSignificance There is growing evidence that preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are strong determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. It is important to estimate their quantitative impact on COVID-19 mortality upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, by age and sex, as both the prevalence of these autoantibodies and the risk of COVID-19 death increase with age and are higher in men. Using an unvaccinated sample of 1,261 deceased patients and 34,159 individuals from the general population, we found that autoantibodies against type I IFNs strongly increased the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate at all ages, in both men and women. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs are strong and common predictors of life-threatening COVID-19. Testing for these autoantibodies should be considered in the general population

    The risk of COVID-19 death is much greater and age dependent with type I IFN autoantibodies

    No full text
    International audienceSignificance There is growing evidence that preexisting autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are strong determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. It is important to estimate their quantitative impact on COVID-19 mortality upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, by age and sex, as both the prevalence of these autoantibodies and the risk of COVID-19 death increase with age and are higher in men. Using an unvaccinated sample of 1,261 deceased patients and 34,159 individuals from the general population, we found that autoantibodies against type I IFNs strongly increased the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate at all ages, in both men and women. Autoantibodies against type I IFNs are strong and common predictors of life-threatening COVID-19. Testing for these autoantibodies should be considered in the general population
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