* CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The characteristics and importance of pharmaceutical policy in the health care system Chapter 3. Current trends in pharmaceutical system and financing Ⅰ. Pharmaceutical financing and expenditure Ⅱ. Pharmaceutical system and policy Chapter 4. Country cases on pharmaceutical system and financing in Asia-Pacific region Ⅰ. China Ⅱ. Fiji Ⅲ. Indonesia Ⅳ. The Philippines Ⅴ. Thailand Ⅵ. Viet Nam Ⅶ. Republic of Korea Chapter 5. Developing collaboration in pharmaceutical policy in Asia-Pacific countries References

* SUMMARY

The Asia-Pacific region is very diverse, characterized by a wide range of inherent cultural traditions, political systems, level of economic development, and the size of population. Health systems in the region also face various challenges (Eggleston 2009). People in the region experience heavy financial burden due to health care cost despite impressive economic development. The portion of out-of-pocket (OOP) payment in total health expenditures is much higher in the Asia Pacific region than in other regions, making up over 40% in the Western Pacific Region and over 60% in the South-East Asia Region (WHO 2009a)... (Excerpted from Chapter 1. Introduction)