Search Results (3)

Background/Objectives: There is clear evidence that maternal micronutrient deficiencies result in adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. Therefore, corrective supplementation should be considered when dietary intake is insufficient, particularly for vitamin D (VD), omega-3 fatty acids (O3), folic acid (FA), or prenatal multiple micronutrient products (PMM). Despite its significance, intake patterns in Hungary remain largely unexplored, and evaluating adherence to recommended intake levels would be of even greater importance. This is the first Hungarian study to provide a comprehensive overview of the frequency and adherence patterns of micronutrient supplementation among pregnant women, while also analyzing their association with predictors and outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 300 pregnant women who delivered in a university hospital. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and clinical maternal and neonatal records. Results: The prevalence of FA, VD, O3, and PMM intake among the participants was 89.0%, 76.4%, 58.7%, and 67.6%, respectively. However, adherence to recommendations was notably lower: 41.1% for VD, 37.5% for O3, 36% for PMM, and 31% for FA. Higher adherence was associated with older maternal age, higher educational level, county town residence, planned pregnancy, primiparity, previous spontaneous abortion, and early initiation of antenatal care. Our findings refute concerns about the obesogenic effect of supplementation for both mothers and newborns. FA intake correlated with a lower likelihood of cesarean section, while O3 use was associated with improved uterine contractility and reduced risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Our study underscores the need for individualized counselling on micronutrient supplementation, with particular emphasis on appropriate timing, dosage, and potential benefits. Full article

Background: The quality of decision-making processes is increasingly recognized as critical to public trust and policy sustainability. Objectives: This narrative review aims to identify and describe process-focused decision support models (DSMs) applied in pharmaceutical policy, and to examine their potential contributions to improving procedural quality in decisions related to pricing, reimbursement, and access to medicines. Methods: Relevant peer-reviewed and gray literature published between 2000 and 2025 was considered, drawing from key databases (e.g., PubMed and Scopus) and international policy reports (e.g., WHO, ISPOR, and HTA agencies). Studies were included if they provided insights into DSMs addressing at least one dimension of decision process quality. Results: Findings are synthesized narratively and organized by tool type, application context, and key quality dimensions. Frequently referenced tools included the Quality of Decision-Making Orientation Scheme (QoDoS), WHO-INTEGRATE, and AGREE II. QoDoS emerged as the only tool applied across regulatory, HTA, and industry settings, evaluating both individual- and organizational-level practices. WHO-INTEGRATE highlighted equity and legitimacy considerations but lacked a structured format. Overall, most tools demonstrated benefits in promoting internal consistency, transparency, and stakeholder engagement; however, their adoption remains limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Conclusions: Process-focused DSMs offer promising avenues for enhancing transparency, consistency, and legitimacy in pharmaceutical policy. Further exploration is needed to standardize evaluation approaches and expand the use of DSMs in diverse health systems. Full article

Objectives: To take inventory of the current state of affairs of Market Access Launch Excellence in the life sciences industry. To identify key gaps and challenges for Market Access (MA) and discuss how they can be addressed. To generate a baseline for benchmarking MA launch excellence. Methodology: An online survey was conducted with pharmaceutical executives primarily working in MA, marketing, or general management. The survey aimed to evaluate MA excellence prerequisites across the product life cycle (rated by importance and level of implementation) and to describe MA activity models in the respective companies. Composite scores were calculated from respondents’ ratings and answers. Results: Implementation levels of MA excellence prerequisites generally lagged behind their perceived importance. Item importance and the respective level of implementation correlated well, which can be interpreted as proof of the validity of the questionnaire. The following areas were shown to be particularly underimplemented: 1) early integration of MA and health economic considerations in research and development decision making, 2) developing true partnerships with payers, including the development of services ‘beyond the pill’, and 3) consideration of human resource and talent management. The concept of importance-adjusted implementation levels as a hybrid parameter was introduced and shown to be a viable tool for benchmarking purposes. More than 70% of respondents indicated that their companies will invest broadly in MA in terms of capital and headcount within the next 3 years. Conclusions: MA (launch) excellence needs to be further developed in order to close implementation gaps across the entire product life cycle. As MA is a comparatively young pharmaceutical discipline in a complex and dynamic environment, this effort will require strategic focus and dedication. The Market Access Launch Excellence Inventory benchmarking tool may help guide decision makers to prioritize their endeavors. Full article