IPHEB asbl - IFEB VZW

What is IPhEB ?

The Institute for Pharmaco-Epidemiology in Belgium (IPhEB) is an npo (non-profit organisation), jointly managed by representatives of doctors and pharmacists. It aims to contribute to the interpretation of epidemiological data on drug compliance hereby respecting patient privacy and the secrecy obligations of health care providers.

The main activity of the Institute is the management and maintenance of a database (Ifstat). It gathers data on pharmaceutical supplies delivered and reimbursed in Belgium by INAMI in pharmacies open to the public. These data are available two months after invoicing.

The IPhEB also develops specific projects, it publishes dashboords or scientific texts, often in collaboration with other actors in the field.

Past and present activities of the IPhEB include: monitoring of prescriptions issued to recipients of the INIG (1995-2004), the national registration of substitution treatments (2006-2009), the monthly publication "IPhEB Monthly" intended to its administrators and members, the website (www.ipheb.be), regular collaborations with various stakeholders.

Origin & Structure

In 1990, the Belgian Association of Pharmacists (APB – Association Pharmaceutique Belge) has initiated talks between the professional associations of doctors and pharmacists for the joint constitution of a scientific research institute. According to members of the autonomous professional associations of physicians and pharmacists, the prescription, supply and consumption of drugs should be supervised and controlled by the health care providers themselves.

The IPhEB is a non-profit organization with a strictly scientific purpose. It is responsible for the interpretation of epidemiological data relating to pharmaceutical supplies reimbursed in Belgium. The association is composed of professional associations of doctors and pharmacists. The Board comprises six members appointed by these associations, evenly distributed between physicians and pharmacists.

Activities

1) to provide data on the delivery of reimbursed pharmaceutical supplies in Belgium

2) to interpret these data according to the epidemiological methodology

The IPhEB prepares study-reports aimed to serve as a basis for decisions regarding drug policy. These activities are possible through the establishment and maintenance of a database: Ifstat. This database is powered by the monthly data used by the invoicing offices (OT) in order to obtain, for their affiliated pharmacies, reimbursement for the pharmaceutical supplies that they have delivered to the beneficiaries of the compulsory health insurance in Belgium.

The pharmaceutical supplies are recognised by their code CNK (National Code / National Kode) (a unique code per package-form or supply). Furthermore a link is established with the ATC code (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical), which is done for IPhEB by the APB (Belgian association of retail pharmacists).

The variables used for pharmaceutical supplies, identified either by their code CNK, or – for medicines- grouped by molecule or group of molecules (ATC code) are the following : number of units, number of DDD, retail price, cost INAMI, rebates, type of beneficiary, type of prescriber, pharmacy remuneration, etc ... Geographically data are aggregated by “arrondisements” (districts), which guarantees the anonymity of pharmacies. The database contains no other data on the prescriber than specialty (last three digits of theINAMI-number). It does not contain data that could identify patients, thereby eliminating any problems regarding to legislation concerning the protection of privacy.

The completeness of the collection is measured by the ratio between the insurance cost calculated annually within Ifstat and the INAMI expenses in accounting documents. Since 2003 this exhaustivity amounts to about 93%.

Complete and verified data are available eight weeks after the dispensing month.

Realisations, collaborations and publications

- Providing data on demand, collaboration with INAMI, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Health, universities, scientific institutions, medical journals, scientific publications ...

- "IPhEB Monthly" is a periodic publication with dashboard information and also outlining pharmaco-epidemiological and pharmaco-economic analyses. After an interruption, this publication resumed in 2007 and its distribution by mail is now complemented by a version of this site.

- Its primary beneficiaries are the constituent members, including the APB as its mayor applicant.

Last update 08-01-2021