The selection of medicinal products as model which allows introduce competition between pharmaceutical laboratories

its lights and its shadows.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reflect on a highly controversial institution that was introduced in the regional authorities of Andalusia seeking decrease the burden of pharmaceutical costs on public spending. It is a system for the selection
of medicinal products and medical devices which allows introduce competition between pharmaceutical laboratories. The model allows the Administration to use a typical market instrument to achieve public interest.

In December 2011, the Andalusian Government established this new procedure of purchasing medicinal products through auction as a measure to control the pharmaceutical cost. In recent years, the debate on the extension of the model to
other regional authorities has been opened. However, after eight years of experience, the new Andalusian Government has decided to give up the system. We have thought that it is a good time to analyze the experience of these last years, its lights and its shadows.