Szuba T J
Soc Sci Med. 1986;22(10):1019-25. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(86)90202-9.
Cross-national comparisons in drug consumptions are usually made in terms of dollars spent annually per person on pharmaceuticals. Expenditure reflects consumption, however, if measured in the same or very similar prices. When drug prices in different countries vary significantly, the expenditure comparisons may create a false image of consumption. A comparative work has been undertaken covering six countries: France, Great Britain, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the United States of America. It appears that consumption of medicines has reached the highest level in France and Italy, while the highest spending occurs in Switzerland and the F.R.G.
跨国药物消费比较通常是根据人均每年在药品上的花费来进行的。然而，如果以相同或非常相似的价格来衡量，支出就能反映消费情况。当不同国家的药品价格差异显著时，支出比较可能会造成消费的虚假表象。一项涵盖六个国家的比较研究已经展开，这六个国家分别是：法国、英国、德意志联邦共和国、意大利、瑞士和美利坚合众国。结果显示，法国和意大利的药品消费达到了最高水平，而瑞士和联邦德国的支出最高。
