Views and experiences of users of prescription medicines, prescribers, and dispensers regarding the medicine reimbursement scheme

The aim of the project is to study the views and experiences of prescription medicine users and pharmaceutical sector actors regarding the objectives, tasks, functionality, and development needs of the medicine reimbursement scheme. The specific objectives are to investigate the views and experiences of prescription medicine users, prescribers, and dispensers regarding:

• the objectives and tasks of the medicine reimbursement scheme
• the functionality, benefits, and problems of the current medicine reimbursement scheme
• views on the development needs of the medicine reimbursement scheme and wishes for the future medicine reimbursement scheme
• views on how the medicine reimbursement scheme could better guide rational pharmacotherapy

The study provides new information on a previously little-researched topic, namely the objectives, tasks, and functioning of the medicine reimbursement scheme in practice from perspectives that are central to its use and implementation. The study creates a new understanding of the perceptions and experiences of medicine users, dispensers, and prescribers regarding the medicine reimbursement scheme. The results of the study can be utilized in the development of the national medicine reimbursement scheme. The results can also be used to promote the rational prescribing, dispensing, and use of medicines, which also has an impact on medicine costs and the targeting of medicine reimbursements. In addition, the study increases customer understanding and provides a basis for communicating about the medicine reimbursement scheme to different target groups.