Book excerpt: Learn how international governments have committed themselves to improving access to quality health care! International Drug Regulatory Mechanisms explores the environment, organization, structure, functioning, and finance of health systems and pharmaceutical markets in 19 countries. Local experts describe each country’s experiences with and lessons learned from the regulation of pharmaceutical products. This book will help government officials, pharmacy educators, and pharmaceutical industry leaders from around the globe identify and develop successful methods for controlling pharmaceutical drug prices and utilization. In International Drug Regulatory Mechanisms, you will learn about the health care system of each country and each government’s measures to control drug costs. This text shows you what government interventions are feasible as well as effective, and the impact of these measures on consumers, government agencies, and the pharmaceutical companies and distributors. Drug policies, reimbursement concepts, and health insurance companies are all examined to give you a better working knowledge of the methodology and guidelines involving drug control in nations such as: Iceland Canada Israel Malaysia Argentina Taiwan Mexico Italy International Drug Regulatory Mechanisms is an extensive text that shows how pharmaceuticals are regulated throughout the world. This book examines how—despite similar goals—price controls, utilization controls, record keeping, and quality requirements differ greatly between countries. Using numerous graphs, tables, and figures, this one-of-a-kind resouce provides you with new insight into which strategies are superior and how to implement these strategies in your own country.