Assessing Usability Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assessing Usability - Case Study ExampleAccording to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that the proceeds of websites and web pages increase exponentially every(prenominal) month. The figure shows the increase in websites over the years. Such an increasing number of websites creates a daunting need for it to be equipped with usable tools and efficient navigational capabilities. Some factors are stated below that enhance the usability of a website. A tag-line should be inserted in the website to portray the primary(prenominal) purpose of the product/company/service. This will help the drug exploiter to understand the objective of the website in a quicker manner. Ensure that navigation is kept flaccid for the users. Remember that the main page is not the only entry page, therefore, ensure proper relationship exists with the entire architecture of the website. Correct labeling is done on every page to guide the user about his location. Usability guidelines are claim ed to be developed by many sources around the world. However, recognized organizations should be responsible for the formulation of such guidelines for example put links for these sites. These guidelines should be considered as standards and should be followed by developers and designers to provide their users with efficient navigation and easy access to information. Following such guidelines makes the users visit a pleasant one and stops him from leaving the site for another. Usability can be measured by qualitative as rise as quantitative measuresQuantitative measures involve the determination of the pace with which the tasks are performed and how many errors are made during that time.Qualitative measures denote the level of satisfaction that the user has after the usage of the respective tools.

Elie Wiesel,Night (1958) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Elie Wiesel,Night (1958) - Essay ExampleReligiously he tends to ask God why all these diversities befell him. Mentally, Ellie watched his father analyse and was separated from all the female members of his family. Upon looking at the mirror, Elies eyes revealed a person that was transformed into a broken person. From his inception at the tent he was a young, religious and loving boy, but when he left the camp he was totally broken. It is from this point that his view on the world had changed completely.In order to have an insight of how Elies views of the world changed, two significant aspects will be looked at, that is, religion and mental/emotional aspects. To start with Elie states that Never shall I forget the moments that murdered both my God and soul and turned all my dreams to dust (p.32). This description of Elie regarding his religion is as a result of the difficulties he and the Jews go about in the camp. Elies faith undergoes a crisis because of how he watched his own f ather and others undergo a torturers death as well as the deplorable spiritedness conditions he was subjected to. It is at this point that Elie underwent a major change as he tried to reconcile all the difficulties he and others were facing together with the beliefs he had been taught about God. He does not deny God, but he chooses not to remain silence regarding why God left all these difficulties face them. Elie so changes his perception that God is merciful and just and he comes to a conclusion that he will not just sit there and wait for his death. From the theme of his experience, Elie was a religious person, but in this new world all the aspects and teaching of religion became meaningless for he had lost his faith.With regards to mental/emotional aspect, Elie also tends to change his view of the world considerably. He thought of the things that he would never do and the circumstances that have made him to be repulsive in this context. For instance, Elie states I gave him s ome of my

Chapter 8-9 SA Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 8-9 SA - Assignment ExampleThis self assessment test 2 is used to evaluate the atmosphere for creativity. The evaluation is meant to single out various situations in an organization that encourage the employees to be more creative in work. The flyer of the environment for creativity shows the level of support the management and organization gives the employees for inventiveness and innovation. The test value of cumulative numbers is then comp atomic number 18d to the values of the continuum. A continuum is provided at the end of the assessment test with numbers indicating different values that indicate the level of support offered. A high score indicates that the organization is very substantiative of the employees creativity and innovation.Therefore, our organization has an average support for employees creativity and innovation. These exercises help the students to relate their work surroundings to the ideas in ways that other people can throw from the experience they ha ve (Lussier & Achua, 2010).This self assessment test 3 is used to evaluate the personal traits and teams that can affect the team work of an soulfulness. The first genius profile reviewed can be I enjoy being part of a team and working with others more than working alone. The scales given to this profile could be 1 to 7, with 7 illustrating strongly harmoniseing to the profile while 1 illustrating strongly disagreeing to the personality profile. The second profile reviewed is, I enjoy accomplishing team goals more than individual accomplishments, given scales from 1 to 7. 7 will illustrate strongly agreeing to this statement while 1 illustrates strongly disagreeing to the same statement. From these two statements, we can deduce that the stronger you agree with them the higher the probability of being a good team player. On the other hand, lower scores do not exactly mean that you are not a good team player. The Big Five personality dimensions and their related motive needs can in fluence your team

Speech - The Meaning of Life Essay Example for Free

Speech The Meaning of Life EssayIs human life just a dream, from which we never really awake, as some great thinkers consider? Are we submerged by our feelings, by our loves and hates, by our ideas of good, bad, beautiful, and awful? Are we incapable of knowing beyond those ideas and feelings? Is the reality we know a reality impose to us by nature? Are the reality and the meaning of life a creation of men, such as music, or love or colorise?When I consider the short duration of my life, swallowed up in the eternity that lies before and after it, when I consider the little space I consider and I see, engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I am unaware, I rest frightened, and astonished, for t present is no reason why I should be here rather than there. Who has put me here? By whose order and direction have this place and time have been ascribed to me? Love gives meaning to our populates as do friendship, or art or faith in God.These are factors of true happ iness, of inner peace, of feelings of harmony, allowing meaning to our existence. But there is the other side. There is the cruelty of life, the pain, the evil, not to call on the carpet of death. When the Tsimtsum sank, not only was Pi shoved face to face with the unknown, but he also lost his family, the core of his human context. Instead, he had to try to survive. Life of Pi is a story about struggling to survive through seemingly insurmountable odds. Throughout the novel, characters are seeking the meaning of life.Pi abandons his lifelong vegetarianism and have fish to sustain himself. Orange Juice, the peaceful orangutan, fights ferociously against the hyena. Even the severely wounded zebra battles to stay alive his slow, painful struggle vividly illustrates the sheer personnel of his life force. As Martel makes clear in his novel, living creatures will often do extraordinary, unexpected, and sometimes heroic things to survive. However, they will also do shameful and barbar ian things if pressed. Exactly like humans.It is between these pendulums the positive, the one that gives happiness and meaning, and the negative that our lives are lived. And when we meditate about all that, we arrive at a diverse and disagreeing tempered of thoughts about the meaning and purpose of life. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time and attention. I hope I have clarified the thoughts of some, to be aware of the vast world we live in and the astounding beings we truly are. Speak to others of your thoughts and knowledge I am sure they will be willing to listen.

Classification and Format in the Income Statement Essay Example for Free

Classification and Format in the Income Statement EssayInvestors unremarkably assess a firms value based on the firms expected future sustainable earnings stream. To inform analysts and former(a) financial statement users about sustainable earnings, firms often report income from recurring business activities separately from income effects from unusual or nonrecurring activities (such as asset impairments, restructuring, stop business segments, and unholy events). To provide more useful information for prediction, U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) requires that the income statement include some or all of the side telegraph wire arms or categories depending on the nature of the firms income for a periodIncome from Continuing Operations. Reports the revenues and expenses of activities in which a firm anticipates an ongoing involvement. When a firm does non have items in the second and third categories of income in a particular year, all of its income items are related to continuing operations so it does not contain to use the continuing operations label. Firms report their expenses in various ways. Most firms in the United States report expenses by their function cost of goods sold for manufacturing, marketing expenses for marketing, administrative expenses for administrative management, and interest expense for financing. Other firms, particularly those in the European Community, tend to report expenses by their nature raw materials, compensation, advertising, and research and development.Income from stop Operations. A firm that intends to remain in a line of business but decides to sell or close down some portion of that line (such as closing a single plant or dropping a line of products) generally will report any income, gain, or neediness from such an action under continuing operations. On the other hand, if a firm decides to terminate its involvement in a line of business (such as selling or shuttering an entire division or subsidiary), it will report the income, gain, or loss in the second section of the income statement, labeled Income, Gains, and Losses from cease Operations.Extraordinary Gains and Losses. Extraordinary gains and losses arise from events that are (1) unusual given the nature of a firms activities, (2) nonrecurring, and (3) material in amount. Corporate annual reports rarely disclose such items. Many firms have reported restructuring charges and impairment losses in their income statements in recent years. Such items often reflect the destroy of assets or the recognition of liabilities arising from changes in economic conditions and corporate strategies.Because restructuring charges and impairment losses do not usually satisfy the criteria for lay off operations or extraordinary items, firms report them in the continuing operations section of the income statement. If the amounts are material, they appear on a separate line to distinguish them from recurring income items. Income, gains, and losses from discontinued operations and extraordinary gains and losses appear in the income statement net of any income tax effects. The majority of published income statements include only the first section because discontinued operations and extraordinary gains and losses occur infrequently.

Employer Associations & Modern Awards Essay Example for Free

Employer Associations Modern Awards EssayThere have been substantial changes to modern awards over the old age that employer associations have historically and are currently advocating. In this regard, issues such as penalisation rates and flexibility stemming from employer association submissions have been researched and examined by (Sheldon Thornthwaite 2013) portraying present that employer associations relatively prefer cost teddy and enhanced managerial exemption as oppose to productivity. Entailed within this essay the key concepts such as penalisation rates, managerial prerogative, flexibility and productivity will be questioned with particular focus the modern award reviews combined with an overview of Sheldon and Thornthwaites argument in summary and concurrence. gibe to (Boxall Purcell, 2011) management goals are predominantly associated with cost efficiency, controllable flexibility, legitimacy and managerial power. It is these goals that evidently become the concern of relevant employer associations, as such they take on the role of combining, allocating and utilising resources in range to achieve organisational objectives. There have however been significant changes over the years regarding employer association involvement particularly seen over the lam of the 1980s. Employer associations aim to influence and negotiate with the Government of the day as well as tribunals in an effort to ensure that the mutual concerns of organisations are being met. (Sheldon Thornthwaite, 2013) discuss key system issues with regard to employer associations mainly focusing on restricting unions right of entry, penalty rates and other provisions incorporating aspects of essential and procedural rules.Modern Award reviews primarily began in 2012, it is during this time that leading associations took the opportunity to not only push for more workable provisions exactly also to campaign for more substantial changes within various awards. Employer as sociations accounted for a large number of submissions to the tribunal on a broad range of issued in particular penalty rates, public holidays and flexibility. In the technical sense, penalty rates are a form of tangible benefit within the financial background which generally refers to those payments made to workers outside normal working hours. Regulator motivations for including penalty rates in modern awards as stated by (Sloane, 2014) are ternary firstly, to compensate workers for work performed during what was historically known as unsociable hours and secondly, to dissuade employers from operating within those hours.However,as advocated by (Sheldon Thornthwaite, 2013) the modern award reviews have provided a forum for employers and their associations to escalate their campaign to the significance of penalty rates in industries operating during the traditionally unsociable hours, which is evidence that employer associations prefer to enhance managerial prerogative over produ ctivity which is predominantly concerned with the cost of resources. The push for the examination of provisions regarding penalty rates has mostly been seen to affect the tourism and retail industries. flexibility is made up of numerous components however, within in the context of the workplace involves thinking creatively about how working lives can be better incorporate to match individual and business needs (Job Access, 2012). Following the review of penalty rate provisions, amendments to the flexibility clause were sought after with particular attention give to the manufacturing industry.Greater flexibility was requested in the taking and cashing out of annual leave in a further attempt to enhance cost cutting initiatives through control measures which ultimately leads to the underlying concept of elevated managerial prerogative. Managerial prerogative may be defined as managements unqualified authority to exercise its discretion in certain areas under the belief that they ha ve exclusive rights to make decisions and therefore resist any contraceptive device with that control (Storey, 1983). Sheldon Thornthwaite make reference to managerial prerogative in the defensive context through aggressive industrial action which has historically been used as a means of strengthening managerial prerogative.The 2011 Qantas lockout serves as one of the most significant demonstrations of managerial prerogative through the organisations decision to engage in a lockout. As part of a wider push to entrench managerial prerogative employers were also seen to be engaging in aggressive bargaining strategies in order to escalate disputes with the intention of gaining access to arbitration which has an adverse affect on productivity. (Stewart, 2005) promotes the fact that there needs to be greater emphasis on productivity which forges greater efficiency and high trust work systems founded on flexible and fair employment. Productivity is the economic factor stemming from the adequate use of resources productivity is basically the measure of achievement through the amount of output that is achieved as result of the input predominantly referring to land, labour and capital as the key resources.Between penalty rates and productivity there is no association they are separated by the contexts of which they are defined. (AI Group, 2012) identify key problem areas within the Fair imprint Act Review and state that it is hampering productivity growth, workplace flexibility and warringness thus meaning that penalty rates do not influence productivity levels. (Sheldon Thornthwaite, 2013) do make it apparent that employer associations main concerns do in fact favour cost cutting and managerial prerogative quite an than focusing on the importance of productivity enhancement. (Sheldon Thornthwaite, 2013) further explored critiques from employer associations whose predominant concern was based on the fact that managerial prerogative was reduced through the chan ge magnitude weakness of employer freedom to contract. (DEEWR, 2012)Released a report referring to more productive and equitable workplaces which disappointed employer associations thus further confirming productivity enhancement to be of no concern. It is clearly demonstrated that employer associations main concerns were that of cost cutting and managerial prerogative it is however, the amalgamation of all the relevant key concepts discussed that essentially equip organisations with a competitive advantage. The core concepts behind the submissions made by employer associations clearly obscure the importance of larger issues which further represents that employer associations prioritise the ease of managements working lives over that of the worker.BibliographyAustralian attention (AI) Group (2012), Applications to Vary a Modern Award 2012 Review, Stephen Smith, Director National Workplace Relations. Boxall, P and Purcell, J (2011), The Goals of Human option Management, Strategy and Human Resource Management, 3rd Edition, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, pp. 1-36. Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) (2012), Towards More Productive and Equitable Workplaces An Evaluation of the Fair Work Legislation, Australian Government. Job Access, tractability in the Workplace, Australian Government, Accessed 1st May 2014 Sheldon, P and Thornthwaite, L. (2013), Employer and Employer Association Matters in 2012, Journal of Industrial Relations, Vol. 55 No. 3, pp. 386-402. Sloane, J (2014), Pay Penalty Rates, just now not Through Awards System,The Australian. Stewart, A (2005), A Simple Plan for Workplace Regulation, Industrial Law News, Issue 7. Storey, J (1983). Managerial Prerogative and the Question of Control, Routledge Kegan capital of Minnesota Publishing, London.

Generics Medicines Regulation Comparison

Generics Medicines Regulation ComparisonChapter 1Executive SummaryThis look for lead touch sensation at the betrothal of generic wine wine wine wine wine wine wine wine medicates in specific 3 countries in atomic number 63 (The Netherlands, Poland and Portugal). These three countries suck up a signifi senst difference in bankers acceptance the reasons for this adoption difference erect be explained by several patterns which be implemented by these countries. In previous research it is proven that politys pee-pee a direct effect on the adoption however, this research will have a closer look which decrees in specific are important to stimulate generic medicines in the food market place. Results bespeak that too much regulation around the entry of generic medicines in the market will lead to slow growth adoption in the market compared to countries which adopt less regulation. Recommendations to stimulate the generic medicines in the market will be presented i n the last chapter.The problem place settingA lot of research has been with with(p) on the interpolation of generic medicines. Examples include the obstacles to generic substitution in Sweden (Anderesson et al. 2005) and the utilization of generic medicines and the implications for the pharmaceutical market (King Kanavos, 2002).However, there is limited cross countrified research examining the similitudeship between the implementation of regulation, the effects of in centives given to pharmacies and physicians and consecutive adoption of generic medicines.The available research is limited to one of these elements, there has non been made a direct consideration between these elements which influence the adoption of generic medicines.In 1995 the European Medicine Evaluation Agency (EMEA) offers a EU- dewy-eyed authorization demonstrate which re fixed the ongoing single authorization process of each country separately, this representation that regulation is harmonized regar ding the entry of generic medicines The EMEA will esteem the generic entry of a medicine before it tin rouse be presented on the European pharmaceutical market. This centralized procedure has decreased the grace detainments for generic medicines in the EU resulting in the item that patent regulation and approval procedures for medicines no longer have a large effect on the maturation of generics (Danzon, et al. 2003).National regulation still has an impact concerning expenditure and reimbursement approval which has to be authorized by national authorities. Moreover, it is examined that generics have had to a greater extent success in countries with more(prenominal) flexible determine policies (Garattini Tediosi, 2000) and previous research has shown that the prescription of generic medicines is dependent on the incentives given to pharmacist, and otherwise parties (Hellerstein, 1998).However, with recent reforms in the national regulation outlines crosswise European co untries, flexible generic pricing policies and incentives given by the national presidential terms are no longer the main determinants of successful entry of generics on the market. compulsory generic substitution systems and other regulations implemented by European governments have be cum at dominant factor in explaining the adoption of generic medicines as a consequence that incentives for physicians, pharmacists and patient have decreased due to the obligatory system (Timonen, et al. 2009).This thesis gives an overview of the relation between the adoption of generic medicines and the regulation in three European countries The Netherlands, Portugal and Poland. These countries are chosen beca manipulation they have different implementations in regulation concerning generics and the adoption rate in these countries differs significantly. Recommendations for European countries and a conclusion some the most effective method to accession the use of generic medicines in relation with regulation will be exposed.The problem statementThe differences among three countries (The Netherlands, Portugal and Poland), concerning the adoption of generic medicines in relation with regulation and influencing incentives in these European countries.The motive to present these specific three countries is resulting from the fact that the adoption take of generic medicines differs significantly. because a clear image can be provided between the differences of adoption connected with the serial regulation adopted in that country concerning generic medicines symbiotic variable adoption of generic medicinesIndependent variable 1 regulation of generics medicinesResearch QuestionsResearch question 1What are the differences in regulation somewhat the use of generic medicines among the Netherlands, Portugal Poland?Research question 2What is the fictitious character of these regulations on the adoption of generics?RelevanceThe thesis should give European countries and in partic ular mankind policy makers, a clear image on the effects incentives can have concerning the adoption of generic when prescribing these medicines, and which type of regulation is the most effective for the increase in adoption of generics.Managerial perspectiveThe prescription of generic medicines is intensively regulated. This results in many implications for pharmaceutical companies especi all(prenominal)y, concerning the implementation of generic medicines in the market. Considering, the fact that the regulation of the prescription of generic medicines has a direct effect on the use of generic medicines. on that pointfore the adoption level for generic medicines is samely to change when the regulation changes.Pricing strategies for pharmaceutical companies have a diminishing effect due to the strict pricing regulation implemented by existence policy makers.stigmatisation strategies are too complicated to implement in the pharmaceutical industry because of the many regulations adopted. However, daubing strategies are precise important they can strengthen the vex between the buyer and the seller (Blackett Robins, 2001).Pharmaceutical companies have to make important decisivenesss regarding the implementation of the generic medicines in the market. They should be aware of all regulation to be able to compete in the pharmaceutical industry.Academic perspectiveCountry-specific results have been presented in several papers how regulation influences the use and adoption of generic medicines. However, a cross-country research on the effects of regulations implemented, in relation to the adoption of generic medicines. More specifically, the effects of incentives, given by policy makers, to pharmaceutical companies and the accompanying marketing strategies implemented by pharmaceutical companies, have not been examined earlier.Overview of the Rest of the ChaptersChapter 2This chapter gives an overview on the question What are the differences in adoption of ge neric medicines between the Netherlands, Portugal and Poland?These three countries will be investigated grapplefully previous literature studies will give a clear image roughly the actual adoption of generic medicines in these countries.Background information will be presented to understand the structure of the chosen countries and the differences in adoption.Chapter 3Data will be gathered to come to an answer to the research question 1 What are the differences in regulation about the use of generic medicines among the Netherlands, Portugal Poland?Chapter 4Chapter four will explain the eccentric of regulation on the adoption rate of generic medicines (research question 2).Chapter5Public policy makers are in general in favour of increasing the use of generic medicines, because of the market advantages. Chapter 5 will give an overview of the most effective policy which is used among the three countries presented earlier in the thesis.Further recommendation to the man policy maker s and limitations of the research will be dealt with in this chapter. A conclusion of this research will be presented.Chapter 2 differences in adoption of generic medicinesThis chapter will give an answer to the differences concerning the adoption of generic medicines between the Netherlands, PortugalandPoland.The level of generic medicine adoption differs significantly across Europe. This chapter will have a look at these differences and the resulting factors that have lead to these differences in adoption.Other implications such as different policy regulations and incentives given to pharmacist by the policy makers will be dealt with in chapter 3. They will be dealt whit in a separate chapter because they are dominant factors in the adoption of generic medicines.A distinction can be made between mature generic markets and developing generic markets (Simoens, 2009). The level of adoption of generic medicines in these countries differs from less than 10 per cent to more than 40 per cent. The share value in the market for generic medicines is 8.8 per cent for the Portugal, 19.8 per cent in the Netherlands and Poland ranks the top with 65.2 per cent (A Review on the European, n.d.).Comparing these personas with other European countries, Portugal falls in the spurn range of adoption and Poland is situated in the upper range of the adoption level of generic medicines in their market.According to Simoens and Coster, (2006), Poland and the Netherlands are seen as mature generic markets in Europe, while Portugal is seen as a developing market.There are several factors (historical background and cultural elements), which have influenced the adoption rate of generic medicines in these countries. Clarifications of these elements are stated below.Historical backgroundAn explanation for the differences in adoption of generic medicines can partially be explained by the historical differences between the Netherlands, Portugal and Poland.In Western Europe, pricing and reim bursement policies naturally developed as an evolutionary economic process. However, this was not the fact for Central and Eastern Europe states (CEE) which are without delay members of the EU. These CEE countries used to have a socialistic type of economy, and after the fall of the Berlin wall (1989) many of those countries confront political and economic bankruptcy. Large-scale reform was necessary in every single sector to guarantee their economical and political well being. The health burster system was also a part of this sector and even today, ongoing reforms are taking place. There is still a lot that has to be done in the CEE countries, specifically within the health care system. Hospital decentralization, modernization and privatization and pricing and reimbursement policies are some examples of areas where further development is preferred (Kazakov, 2007).These necessary reforms and changes are also applicable to Poland. The Netherlands and Portugal do not suffer from t hese reforms, due to fact of not having a communistic history.Another implication of this socialist history is the fact that Poland was already used to adopt generic medicines, as brand medicines were not available in these countries due the absence of product patents until early 1990s (Simoens de Coster, 2006). pagan elementsCultural sensitivity is one of the most widely accepted principles among public health (Resnicow, et all. 2000). According to Resnicow (2000), cultural sensitivity indicates The extent to which ethnic/cultural characteristics, experiences, norms, values, behavioural patterns, and beliefs of a target population as well as relevant historical, environmental, and social forces are incorporated in the design, delivery, and evaluation of targeted health promotion materials and programs (page 272).The relation between the pharmacist and the pharmaceutical representative can have a huge impact on the prescription of medicines and therefore on the adoption of generic medicines.Historical developments in Poland have take a shitd a positive attitude towards prescribing generic medicines, as prescribing generic medicines has been a common practice in Poland until the early 1990s. In the Netherlands, on the other hand, generic substitution is more driven by the pharmacist (Simoens de Coster, 2006).On average a pharmaceutical company will elapse twice as much on marketing to the pharmacist and the public than on research and development (Zipkin, et all. 2005).A more detailed view about the adoption rate of generic medicines concerned the three countries (the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal) are presented belowThe NetherlandsThe Dutch generic market has grown rapidly over sequence public expenditure has increased from 185 million euro in 1994, resulting in a market share value of 8.5 per cent. In 2004 the market share has increased to 17.7 per cent this means that the value has almost doubled. The market share increased also dramatically from 19. 9 per cent in 1994 to 44.3 percent in 2004 (Simoens de Coster, 2006). Results from an EGA survey conducted in 2007 show that the market share of generic medicines has increased to more than 50 per cent (see figure 2 and 3 in appendix B).PolandDue to historical implications mentioned before, Poland has a very mature generic market. In 2006 the market shares of Poland were 60 per cent by value and close to 80 per cent by volume (see figure 2 and 3 in appendix B).PortugalIn the 1990s the generic medicines adoption in Portugal did not exceed more than 1 per cent. An introduction in the generic policy in the year 2000 caused for an increase in market share of 8 per cent measured until 2004. An explanation of the generic policy will be provided in chapter 3 (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Recent results from an EGA survey implemented in 2007 show that the market share has slightly increased to almost 10 per cent (see figure 2 and 3 in appendix B).Chapter 3 differences in regulation about the use of generic medicinesWhat are the differences in regulation about the use of generic medicines among the Netherlands, Portugal Poland?There are several domains in regulation which will eventually influence the structure of the market and determine how the pharmaceutical companies can work on most effectively in this pharmaceutical market. This thesis presents the most important domains where regulations are implemented market authorisation, pricing, incentives, and marketing implications.Market authorisationIn Europe, the process regarding market authorisation is very complex. Market access for generic medicines may differ from country to country this holds there is little transparency regarding the entry of generic medicines in Europe.A pharmaceutical company may receive market authorisation to enter the market in a specific country. However, other regulations regarding the reimbursement and worth of the generic product still need to be determined by the government. This mean s the process, concerning the entry of the generic medicine, can be delayed up to three times (A Review on the European Generic Pharmaceutical Market in 2005, n.d.).The EU directive was introduced to create a better system regarding the entry of generic medicines in Europe. There is a transparency directive, 89/105/EEC, which specifies that there is a 90 day limit regarding the reimbursement and pricing decision. However, the time delays vary from country to country (Garattini Tediosi, 2000).The table below (A Review on the European Generic Pharmaceutical Market in 2005, n.d.) gives an overview of the times delays per country for price approval to enter the market.With respect to the countries in this thesis, the table above (A Review on the European Generic Pharmaceutical Market in 2005, n.d.). shows the followingPoland does not have a time delay because the pricing and reimbursement approvals are granted together with the market authorisation of the generic medicines.In the Neth erlands, we can see a delay of between 10 and 15 days which could be defined as a relatively efficient time to approval compared to other countries in Europe.Portugal is very inefficient with the entry of the generic medicines, the status of pricing and reimbursement will only be given after a 90-day delay (A Review on the European, n.d.).PricingPrice regulations are only applicable when the generic medicines will be reimbursed. The most effective regulation is a price ensnareion on the maximum reimbursement of that specific medicine or a maximum price that pharmaceutical companies may charge the medicine users (Danzon Keuffel, 2007).Most European countries, including the countries in this study, have introduced a filename extension price system. A compose price system entails that there are regulations which will restrict the reimbursement level of generic medicines, but that the price of the generic medicines itself will be uncontrolled. Under the reference price system, group s are clustered into certain reimbursement level, based each on the same compound or different compounds but with the same mode of action or with a similar name.All products that are placed in the same group are reimbursed at the same price per daily dose, which is also called the reference price. In general, the reference price in a group will be set at the level of the cheapest medicine or the median in that group. If pharmaceutical manufacturers price their product above the reference price, the user of the generic medicines needs to pay the outstanding amount above the reference price.There are two different pricing systems in Europe a generic free pricing system and a generic price-regulated system. Both systems determine the degree of adoption of generic medicines. In a generic free pricing system companies can decide on the height of the price of a new generic medicine introduced in the market themselves, in contrary to a price regulated system (Simoens, 2010).The reference pricing system has three levels of implementation, the higher the level of the system is, the more the prices are regulated.Poland has a low reference pricing system, the Netherlands could be defined as a medium reference pricing system and Portugal uses a high reference pricing system.As presented in the table below (Bongers Carradinha, 2009), one can see which European countries fall in a regulated price system and have no free pricing system.Consumer implicationsThe patients themselves (the demand side) play an important role in the prescription of generic medicines. Physicians and pharmacists and other contributing parties will rank generic medicines to reduce the costs for the payer, which is in this case the consumer of the medicine.Patient co-paymentPricing and reimbursement systems play a role for the patient. The patient will contribute to the financing of the health care system, in particular with the co-payment arrangement. This is a common practice in all European coun tries (with the exception of Malta), but the implementation of co-payment differs significantly across countries. Nevertheless, in all countries that employ a co-payment arrangement a financial contribution is made by the medicine user. Patient co-payment arrangements can strongly influence the end decision of the patient on which medicines to take (A Review on the European Generic Pharmaceutical Market in 2005, n.d.). The reimbursement of generic medicines is taken care of through an insurance model however the co-payment arrangement is based on a percentage of the cost of the medicine (Kazakov, 2007).Pricing regulation related to the countries in the thesisThe Netherlands uses an enforcing pricing regulation, which sets a maximum for the pricing of medicines. In 1996, this system was implemented. In general, it led to a decrease of 15 per cent of the average medicine price in the market (Simoens de Coster, 2006).However, the prices of generic medicines in the Netherlands still te nded to be higher compared to other EU countries. Mediation in short-term pricing strategies such as implementing similar pricing systems, have increased and stimulated the share in the markets for generic medicines, where competition already existed (Bongers Carradinha, 2009).Polish medicine prices tend to be lower compared to other EU countries. They work with a price regulated system for generic medicines. The pharmaceutical companies want to be absorbed in the reimbursement list for medicines. The reference price in Poland is set just below or just above the cheapest generic medicines in the Polish market (Simoens, 2009).Pharmaceutical companies may price their product above the reference price, taking into account that as a result they will not be placed on the reimbursement list (Kazakov, 2007).Portugal open up a regulation which says that the minimum price difference of generic medicines and brand medicines should be a least 35 per cent in 2001. In 2005 Portugal hold to re duce the overall medicine prices by 6 per cent. Of that 6 per cent 4.17 per cent had to be reduced by the pharmaceutical company and the other 1.93 per cent had to be reduced by the wholesalers and pharmacists. The reference price system was introduced in 2003 where the reference price was set at the level of the most expensive generic medicine (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Despite the fact Portugal has a developed market, the market share concerning generic medicines is still relatively low compared to other countries in Europe. Regardless, of the fact that companies producing generic medicines provide affordable treatments to patients, other savings can only be achieved if government supply side policy initiatives are designed to increase the competitiveness of generic medicines in the market (Bongers Carradinha, 2009).IncentivesTo establish a generic medicine market, the supply side (pricing system) needs to be supplemented by demand side policies which create incentives for physi cians, pharmacists, and patients to use generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006).The NetherlandsInstruments to promote generic medicines have been in place for a long time and have been widely accepted in the Netherlands (Vogler Schmickl, 2010).Incentives for physiciansThe Dutch government has stimulated physicians to visit generic medicines, which is supported by an electronic prescription system. In the Netherlands it is customary to develop and implement guidelines and treatment protocols on how to inflict generic medicines in order to efficiently increase the adoption of generic medicines. An important feature is that there are no sanctions for physicians who do not prescribe generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Incentives for pharmacistsGeneric substitution is allowed for the pharmacist when the physician and the patient agree with it, however, it could be indicated by the physician that generic substitution is not permitted due to health reasons. This means that when a branded drugs patent has expired pharmacists are allowed to distribute a generic substitution unless indicated otherwise by the physician. Health insurers have also agreed upon several targets for the pharmacist in distributing generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006). Generic substitution has been connected to financial incentives for the pharmacist for a long time, however these incentives have been abolished since 2004. Nevertheless, the adoption in the market of generic substitution has not decreased (Vogler Schmickl, 2010).Incentives for the patientsIn the Netherlands the patients do not have a financial incentive to buy generic medicines because there are no patient co-payments arrangements. Nevertheless, patients do have to pay the outstanding amount when the price of the medicines is above the reference price, which is set by the government (Simoens de Coster, 2006).PolandIncentives for physiciansPhysicians are not intensively encouraged to prescribe generic me dicines. Due to the historical background physicians are already accustomed with the use and prescription of generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Incentives for pharmacistGeneric substitution is allowed by pharmacists whenever a branded drug is cocksure a pharmacist may replace this by a generic substitution. Pharmacists are obliged to inform the patients about the generic substitution. Price reductions implemented by pharmaceutical companies encourage pharmacists to prescribe generic medicines (Simoens, 2009).Incentives for the patientThere are four levels of reimbursement for the patient.The first level includes a fixed amount per prescription which will be reimbursed when these are essential medicines. The second and third level populate of supplementary medicines which will be charged to the patient through the co-patient system. The patients have to pay 30 to 50 per cent themselves. The fourth level holds that other prescribed medicines which are not on the reimbursem ent list will be fully paid by the medicine user (the patient). However, initiatives to inform the patients about generic medicines have not been presented (Simoens de Coster, 2006).PortugalIncentives for physiciansIn 2002, a regulation was implemented in Portugal which formulated that from that moment on physicians would be obliged to prescribe a generic medicine if possible. However, physicians and pharmacists are free to add brand medicines to prescriptions that include more than one medicine, of which at least one is generic. The physicians are to inform the patient about other generic medicines and the accompanying price differences. Even though guidelines are available, the system has not been fully implemented. An explanation for this is that the physicians and the pharmacists are neither being rewarded for prescribing, nor being penalize when not prescribing generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Incentives for pharmacistsPhysicians can indicate whether they permit g eneric substitution on the prescription form. In the cases that generic substitution is allowed by the physician, the pharmacists have to prescribe the cheapest generic medicines available. Pharmacists do not have any financial incentive to prescribe generic medicines as the generic margins for pharmacists have been dramatically low since the introduction of the regulation in 2005 (the overall reduction of generic medicines prices) (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Incentives for patientsPortugal has 5 different levels of reimbursement.In the first level 100 per cent of the medicine will be reimbursed when they are classified as life saving. The second level holds that 95 per cent of the medicines will be reimbursed, the third level holds 70 per cent, the fourth level 40 per cent, and the fifth level holds a percentage of 20 per cent.Patients with a low income will receive a 15 per cent additional earnings on the stated reimbursement level.Until 2005, patients were rewarded with a 10 per cent additional reimbursement when they asked for a generic substitution. However, with the abolishment of the reward system of 10 per cent, the patient will now only receive a price reduction of 6 per cent for the use of generic medicines. The patient does not have an incentive but sort of a discouraging effect to use generic medicines. Nevertheless, pro-generic campaigns have been introduced by the government since 2006 the effects of these campaigns are not yet clear (Simoens de Coster, 2006).Previous research shows that the patient co-payment arrangement in Poland and Portugal plays a visible role in stimulating the use and adoption for generic medicines (Simoens de Coster, 2006). For an overall overview of the regulation implemented across these three countries a table is presented below.Marketing implicationsA generic medicine should appear under the international non-proprietary name (INN). This entails, that a generic medicine should be marketed without a commercial brand name but in fact, three categories there can be distinguished branded generics (copies of generic medicines with their own brand name), semi-branded generics (products marketed under the INN following the name of the manufacturer of the medicines) and medicines marketed under INN (Garattini Tediosi, 2000).The EU directive 65/65/EEC was established, to approve marketing of a drug.An allowance for introducing a generic medicine and expound these medicines should be supported by several data available of the generic medicines (for example clinical data.)There are a lot of restrictions concerning advertisements and promotion activities of pharmaceutical products. These are presented by the The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (2004) .Together with price regulation, advertising plays an important role in the pharmaceutical market. In general patients are uninformed about the most effective and available treatments, they depend on the diagnosis and treatment s oupcon from the physician. Since the physician will prescribe the medicine it can be stated that they will directly affect the extent of competition between different treatments and medicines available. so it not remarkable that the physician is the target of huge advertisement campaigns and that detailing in the pharmaceutical industry is mainly focused on physicians (Knigbauer, 2006).The volume of detailing in the pharmaceutical market depends on several factors such as the prevalence of the disease, the amount of competition for the medicine, the number of physicians who might prescribe the generic medicines, and like any other product in a market, taking into account the product life cycle of the product (Berndt, et al 2007).Chapter 4What is the role of these regulations on the adoption of generics?Market authorisationApproval of generic medicinesThe success of a gene