Policy
[Health Policy] A pilot programme of organ donation after cardiac death in China
China's aims are to develop an ethical and sustainable organ transplantation system for the Chinese people and to be accepted as a responsible member of the international transplantation community. In 2007, China implemented the Regulation on Human Organ Transplantation, which was the first step towards the establishment of a voluntary organ donation system. Although progress has been made, several ethical and legal issues associated with transplantation in China remain, including the use of organs from executed prisoners, organ scarcity, the illegal organ trade, and transplantation tourism.
Current status of alcohol marketing policy—an urgent challenge for global governance
Aims To review research literature and available information on the extent and impacts of marketing, current policy response and the interests engaged in the policy debate in order to inform recommendations for policy change on alcohol marketing.Methods Relevant literature, including systematic reviews and publicly available information (websites and participant observation) is reviewed and synthesized.Results Alcohol marketing has expanded markedly in the past 50 years and, while there remains uncertainty about the impact across the population, there is now clear evidence of its impact on
Scientific evidence alone is not sufficient basis for health policy
Articles recently published in Addiction1 2 3 4 5 6 have reignited debate about David Nutt’s 2009 conflict with the then UK home secretary, Alan Johnson.
Effects of an Antipsychotic Restriction Policy in a Veteran Population
Recent trials have failed to demonstrate differences in efficacy between first generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second generation antipsychotics (SGAs). To reduce costs, many healthcare systems have restricted the availability of SGAs through use of prior authorizations. The United States General Accounting Office has placed risperidone as the first-line option of SGAs due to its lower cost and equal efficacy and if one wishes to prescribe a SGA other than risperidone, a restricted drug request (RDR) is submitted and reviewed. Restrictions for the off-label use of SGAs and the use of dual-antipsychotic therapy have also been implemented in many health systems. Since the introduction of these policies at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), analyses of outcomes have not been conducted. This study aims to determine the effects of a prior authorization policy on the care of STVHCS veterans.
[Health Policy] Building of the global movement for health equity: from Santiago to Rio and beyond
SummaryHealth inequalities are present throughout the world, both within and between countries. The Commission on Social Determinants of Health drew attention to dramatic social gradients in health within most countries and made proposals for action. These inequalities are not inevitable. The purpose of this article is to report on activity that has taken place worldwide after the report by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. First, we summarise the global situation.