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The aim of the present study was to analyze the cost of pharmacotherapy and quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), Gaucher disease (GD) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Bulgaria. Data for the pharmacotherapy cost were compiled retrospectively. The second part of the study included a prospective quality-of-life survey (conducted at the Medical University Hospital "Alexandrovska" in 2010 and 2011). We estimated the average monthly pharmacotherapy costs according to data from the hospital registries. The quality-of-life survey was done through interviews based on the short form of SF-36, which measures 9 health domains. The total number of patients was 18, of which 10 were with CML, 5 with cystic fibrosis and 3 with Gaucher disease. The average age of the male and female patients with CML was 49.1 years and 48.3 years, respectively; 25 and 24 years in the group with GD, respectively; and 29.5 and 35.3 years in CF group, respectively. No statistical difference between the average monthly pharmacotherapy costs for the observed period was revealed In all patients the quality of life was below the maximum possible value, which is equal to 100 points. The lowest values for the different indicators of quality of life were observed in the CF patients, most likely due to the chronic progression of this particular rare disease. The average range of quality of life for this group was 53.75. We found a statistical correlation between the pharmacotherapy costs and the quality of life. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed a correlation between the drug therapy costs and some quality-of-life indicators only in the patients with CIVIL. The correlation between the pharmacotherapy costs and physiological functions in patients with CIVIL was positive, i.e. higher costs improved this indicator The pharmacotherapy costs were high, the average values for the three groups of patients being: BGN 9221.61 for 2010 and BGN 8254.64 for January March 2011 for patients w

Introduction: Few data document the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe, with even fewer investigating use by children. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: A narrative, non-systematic review of CAM use in Europe was performed by combining data from published surveys with expert perspectives. Limitations created by a lack of representative studies, varying definitions of CAM use, and what qualifies as CAM in different countries was partially overcome by integrating local experts to summarise information available only in the national language and provide their perspectives about CAM availability, quality, use and popularity in their countries using a semi-structured questionnaire. Local and international published surveys were summarised, and the prevalence of CAM use was extrapolated. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Data from 20 European countries were available, representing 69% of the European population. Some data about CAM use by the general population were available for 90% of the examined countries, whereas peer-reviewed published surveys were available for only 60%. We extrapolated that 56% (range: 10-90%, adjusted for population size) of the European population in general had used CAM at least once in the past year. Surveys in CAM use by children were available for 55% of the investigated countries. The extrapolated prevalence of CAM use by children in Europe was 52% (range: 5-90%, adjusted for population size). Paediatric CAM experts reported an increasing awareness for and use of CAM in healthcare institutions. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: This precursor for further surveys indicates that CAM appears to be popular not only among adults in Europe, but also for children. Development of a pan-European definition of CAM use and CAM therapies are required to achieve surveys comparable between European countries. Additionally, more research investigating the effic

Aim To analyze the pharmacy network (structure and resources) in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia and its relation to public expenditures for medicines. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using the officially published data for the period 2003-2008 in four selected countries. Data sources were relevant national institutions. Results In 2008, Serbia had 27.5, Bulgaria 66.8, Croatia 59.5, and Slovenia 71.2 pharmacists per 100000 inhabitants. There was a significant difference in the number of pharmacists per 100000 inhabitants between all countries except between Bulgaria and Slovenia. The number of inhabitants per one pharmacy was significantly different between all observed countries. The expenditures for medicines per capita in 2008 were between (sic)30.34 in Bulgaria to (sic)137.03 in Slovenia, with a significant difference between all countries except between Bulgaria and Serbia. The number of pharmacists per 100000 inhabitants and expenditures for medicines per capita were positively correlated in all observed countries, except in Bulgaria. Conclusion There were significant difference in the structure and availability of the pharmacy service in all selected countries. Expenditures for medicines were positively correlated with the number of pharmacists in all countries, except in Bulgaria. Our findings could be valuable to national regulatory bodies for the creation of national drug policies.