Acceptability and consumers’ willingness to pay for comprehensive medication management services in Brazil

Abstract

Aim: Comprehensive medication management (CMM) is a clinical service that aims to optimize the therapeutic results of patients at the individual level. Studies carried out in Brazil and in several parts of the world have found a positive impact of the service, mainly in the resolution of drug therapy problems and in improving clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life. This service is not widespread and its acceptability and willingness to pay were not defined by the population yet. Objective: This work aims to conduct a study with users of private health services to determine the acceptability and willingness to pay for CMM services. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted through face-to-face interviews, among residents over 18 years of age of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Results: For this study, 563 individuals were interviewed. Most respondents were female (55.1%), had completed high school (46.8%) and were employed (62.5%). The acceptability for the service was 93,25%, and among all respondents, 37 would not accept the service even if it was free. The amount of consumers’ willingness to pay for the CMM service was estimated at $17.75 (40.00 BRL). Conclusion: The research results show that most people are willing to pay for the CMM service. This study can contribute to the decision-making regarding the implementation and pricing of the service in Brazil.

Keywords

• comprehensive medication management
• economic evaluation
• medication therapy management
• pharmaceutical care
• willingness to pay