Abstract
Objectives: to study the process of implementation of the increasing access to high-cost medicine
listed in the Category E2 of the 2008 NLEM policy to practice under public health insurance systems: the
Universal Health Coverage scheme (UC), Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS), and Social Security
Scheme (SSS) and in hospitals as well as to explore factors that promote policy achievement and
problems occurred during policy implementation. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed including
review and analysis of relevant documents. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions
with stakeholders, who involved in the Category E2, were conducted. Results: 1) The policy implementation
under public health insurance schemes: The NLEM subcommittee created the Category E2 guidelines
including other rules and regulations for the three public health insurance schemes to follow. However,
the UC was the only scheme which developed its internal regulations related to the Category E2.
Moreover, it was also found that the three public health insurance schemes had implemented some projects
to increase access to some medicine listed in the Category E2 before the policy initiation. Also, these
projects were, in some respects, managed differently from the rules and regulations of the Category E2
policy. 2) The implementation of the Category E2 policy in hospitals: Most administrators, clinicians and
pharmacists who involved in this study agreed with the policy of increasing access to expensive medicines.
The implementation of this policy would reduce hospital expenditure on medicines particularly
medicines for patients who were covered under the UC and promote a rational use of the medicine under
the clear guidelines. However, the rules and regulations regarding the Category E2 that developed by the
NLEM subcommittee and the three public health insurance schemes could cause problems in practice
because it may introduce confusion and various management systems in hospitals. There were also some
problems of compliance with the rules and regulations of the UC and prescription for people under the
CSMBS coverage. These problems were obstacles for patients’access to medicines listed in the Category
E2. Conclusions and suggestions: Policy implementation of increasing access to the Category E2 to practice
faced many barriers. Coordination among the NLEM subcommittee, public health insurance schemes,
and hospitals as well as policy monitoring and evaluation were necessary and facilitated the success of
policy implementation.
