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Articles were selected based on their relevance to pharmaceutical cost-containment strategies and their impact on medication access. Data extraction was performed independently by two independent reviewers, with a conflict-resolution protocol to ensure accuracy and minimize bias. The review identifies a range of policy interventions, including price regulation, reference pricing, and the promotion of generic drugs. While high-income countries have implemented sophisticated regulatory frameworks, lower-income countries often face challenges in aligning cost containment with healthcare access needs. The effectiveness of these strategies varies widely, underscoring the need for policies tailored to local healthcare and economic conditions. Effective management of pharmaceutical expenditures requires adaptable policy frameworks that consider local contexts and economic capacities. International collaboration and continuous policy evaluation are essential to developing sustainable strategies that enhance both cost efficiency and access to essential medicines.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.12968\/hmed.2024.0676","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,5]],"date-time":"2025-03-05T12:10:26Z","timestamp":1741176626000},"page":"1-19","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["International Experience in the Management of Pharmaceutical Expenditure: A Narrative Literature Review"],"prefix":"10.31083","volume":"86","author":[{"given":"Vasileios","family":"Leivaditis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Westpfalz-Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany"},{"name":"Healthcare Management Program, School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, 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