Comparative studies on health systems

•Countries across the world have organized their health care systems in different ways in terms of funding, structure and mode of operation. Comparative studies on drug utilization are valuable tools to promote development of health systems.

•Drug utilization studies may compare health system factors related to legislation for drug approval, prescribing regulations, drug supply structures, financing models and strategies by which to promote access to essential medicines and the quality use of medicines.

•A variety of methodological approaches have been used to compare drug utilization between health care systems. Further research is needed to develop good indicators for comparison purposes.

•There are currently few comparative studies of self‐medication and drugs sold directly to the consumer without a prescription, but they have been gaining increasing attention recently due to quality and safety concerns.