Revue Les Cahiers du POIDEX
Volume 14, Numéro 2, Pages 259-280
2025-12-03

The Efficacy Of Demand-side Regulation In Controlling Social Security Drug Reimbursement Expenditure In Algeria: An Assessment

Authors : Ziani Lila . Ziani Farida .

Abstract

In Algeria, the long-standing growth of healthcare expenditure, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, has led to the implementation of a demand-side health expenditure regulation policy. The policy has taken the form of modifying drug reimbursement rules to financially responsabilize patients by limiting the financial impact on collective financing entities, namely the state budget and social insurance. This study sought to review the rationing mechanisms pertaining to demand and assess their effectiveness in controlling social security drug reimbursement expenditure. The findings clearly indicate that, despite these measures, drug reimbursement expenditure shows a steady and continuous increase, remaining a heavy burden on both the state budget and the social security system.

Keywords

Drug reimbursement ; Regulatory policy ; Social security ; Health expenses ; Algeria