A comparative analysis of domiciliary oxygen therapy in five European countries

This comparative study analyses the domestic market of domiciliary oxygen t herapy in five European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK) according to a common checklist of subjects. Domestic legislation, pre scription procedures, delivery, and the market situation concerning oxygen therapy were considered. The analysis involved (i) reviewing the literature on oxygen therapy in national and international journals, and (ii) intervi ewing a selected expert panel of market operators in each country (composed of at least one civil servant, one physician, one distributor, and one oxy gen manufacturer). The analysis did not find any specific relationship betw een the health care system framework and the oxygen therapy market, except for a greater inclination towards home care in national health services. In all these countries oxygen therapy is reimbursed, but the type of supply a nd its diffusion differ widely. The spread of domiciliary care has undermin ed the traditional role of pharmacies in the oxygen distribution chain in a ll countries except Italy. The study did not help identify any specific cou ntry that can be considered a benchmark for oxygen therapy, each one dealin g with oxygen therapy in a different way. An economic evaluation of the dif ferent supply modalities could help improve decision making by public autho rities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.