Switching from brand to generic lamotrigine is largely devoid of adverse health outcomes; however, creating an incentive to ensure a greater proportion of patients switch to generic lamotrigine is required to achieve maximal financial savings from a policy of generic reference pricing. </AbstractSection>...

Does the way in which health systems are financed influence whether health policymakers are more or less interested in accessible and equitable health services? Are social democratic governments more interested in primary health care reform than conservative governments? Have particular domains...

In this paper we compare the experiences of seven industrialized countries in considering approval and introduction of the world's first cervical cancer-preventing vaccine. Based on case studies, articles from public agencies, professional journals and newspapers we analyse the public debate...

Health governance internationally has become more complex, with both hierarchical and network modes of governance explicitly represented within single public systems. Objective: To understand the implementation of new modes and mechanisms of governance under New Zealand health reforms and to...

The splitting of the functions of purchaser and provider in the New Zealand health system in 1993 necessitated the use of explicit contracts between the two parties. This paper examines contracting experiences during the first two years of operation. The study focuses on four services: rest...

New Zealand, like most other developed economies, has struggled to establish the best way of organising and delivering publicly financed health care services. Before the 1990s, hospitals and some related services were planned and provided by regionally based, locally elected health boards. This...