How Did Zero-Markup Medicines Policy Change Prescriptions in the Eyes of Patients?—A Retrospective Quasi-Experimental Analysis

Background: China implemented the zero-markup medicines policy to reverse the overuse of medicine in public health institutions, by changing the distorted financing mechanism, which heavily relies on revenue generated from medicines. The zero-markup medicines policy was progressively implemented in city public hospitals from 2015 to 2017. Objective: This study is expected to generate convincing evidence with subjective measurements and contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of the policy from both objective and subjective perspectives. Methods: This study was based on a large patient-level dataset with a quasi-experimental design. We employed the difference-in-difference (DID) method, combined with propensity score matching methods, to estimate the causal effect of the policy in reducing overprescriptions from the patient perspective. Results: The study estimated a statistically significant increased probability that the responded outpatients denied overprescription in their visiting hospitals. The mean interacted policy effect, in percentage points, of all observations were positive (logit DID model: 0.15, z = 10.27, SE = 0.01; PSM logit DID model: 0.15, z = 10.26, SE = 0.01; PSM logit DID hospital fixed-effect model: 0.12, z = 3.00, SE = 0.04). Discussion: The policy might reduce overprescription in public hospitals from the patient’s perspective. The patient’s attitude is one aspect of a comprehensive policy evaluation. The final concrete conclusion of the policy evaluation can only be made through a systematic review of the studies with rigorous design and with both objective and subjective measurements.