The Efficacy of Demand-Side Regulation in Controlling Social Security Drug Reimbursement Expenditure in Algeria: An Assessment

Résumé

In Algeria, the long-standing growth of healthcare expenditure, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, has led to the implementation of a demand-side health expenditure of regulation policy. The policy has taken the form of modifying drug reimbursement rules to financially responsabilie patients by limiting the financial impact on collective financing entities, namely the state budget and social insurance. This study sought to review the rationing mechanisms pertaining to demand and assess their effectiveness in controlling social security drug reimbursement expenditure. The findings clearly indicate that, despite these measures, drug reimbursement expenditure shows a steady and continuous increase, remaining a heavy burden on both the state budget and the social security system.