Awareness of doctors and epilepsy patients about preferential drug provision

Abstract

Background. Drug support provided to the general population and medical institutions represents one of the most important directions in social policy of the Russian Federation.Objective. To determine the awareness epileptologists and epilepsy patients about legal normative and regulatory aspects regarding preferential drug provision (PDP).Material and methods. The study was conducted by using empirical data retrieved from questionnaire survey of epilepsy patients and epileptologists. We used an original questionnaire that consisted of questions about the PDP legal normative and regulatory aspects as well as organization of drug provision for patients with epilepsy.Results. The study data revealed that half of the surveyed patients were unaware of the legal right to have a reduced drug coverage for patients with epilepsy without disability. The normative document designating the categories of diseases including epilepsy as well as the level of appropriate drug coverage for which citizens may qualif, was unknown to either patients or health care workers. Both groups named no the authorized body to which they should apply in case of refusal obtain a preferential vacation leave. The minimum number of correct answers was received to the questions about the maximum term of course prescriptions for reduced-price supply, the term of service for such prescriptions as well as the term for submission of notice on unwanted response to Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor). One-third of patients were unaware of the opportunity for electronic appeal to a state health care authority.Conclusion. There is a need for educational activities among health care professionals and patient outreach to increase awareness of own legal rights and responsibilities of participants of PDP for epilepsy patients.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• preferential drug provision
• pharmacovigilance
• patients' rights