Articles tagged with Drug Costs
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the cost of compounded medication to prevent preterm births is significantly lower than the brand-name version. The analysis showed that the compounded form costs an average of $206 per pregnancy, compared to $10,917 for the brand-name version.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that ivermectin, a medication for parasitic infections, also has an anti-tumor effect on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. The gene target KPNB1 was identified as having oncogenic properties, and its inhibition induced apoptosis in EOC cells.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that only 30.9% of patients prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors ever received therapy, largely due to copay costs and prior authorization processes. Patients with governmental insurance and those filled at specialty pharmacies were more likely to be approved.
Weight loss of around 15 kg can reverse type 2 diabetes, extending life expectancy and reducing healthcare costs. However, remission is rarely recorded due to lack of agreed criteria and guidance.
A study by UNC researchers found that the cost of a generic oral chemotherapy treatment was $2,328 last year, which is 36% lower than the projected branded drug price in 2016. However, the savings are modest compared to other generic drugs, and brand-name drug prices have increased over time.
A recent study analyzed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings for 10 companies developing a cancer drug from 2006 through 2015, estimating a median time of 7.3 years to develop the drug and a median cost of $648 million.
A recent study found that a high-priced drug called Acthar drove up Medicare expenditures by over $1 billion, despite lacking evidence of greater efficacy. The majority of spending was attributed to a small group of frequent prescribers, who may be subject to conflicts of interest from aggressive marketing.
Research in the UK found that people with disabilities face significant hurdles accessing healthcare services, with disabled women being disproportionately disadvantaged. Long waiting lists and cost of treatment were major obstacles, affecting over one-fourth of those with severe disabilities.
The conference emphasizes that hepatitis C elimination is impossible without prioritizing people who use drugs, as they account for 8% of those living with chronic hepatitis C. New treatments have sparked hope for a world free of the disease, but testing and treatment remain low in many countries.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that reference pricing is effective in reducing patient spending on prescription drugs. The policy promotes the use of cheaper alternatives over brand-name options, resulting in a 7% increase in prescriptions filled for low-price reference drugs and a 14% decrease in average price paid.
A study published in JAMA Network finds that newer LDL-C reducing drugs are not cost-effective at current prices. To meet cost-effectiveness thresholds, prices would need to be reduced by more than two-thirds, according to a recent trial finding that these drugs reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A Yale University study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment was the most cost-effective approach for individuals screening positive for opioid addiction. The treatment resulted in lower healthcare costs and better patient outcomes compared to referral alone or brief intervention with facilitated referral.
A high-intensity exercise program combined with a diet plan resulted in improved blood glucose levels among adults with type 2 diabetes. The study found that 73.5% of lifestyle participants required fewer glucose-lowering medications, compared to 26.4% in the standard care group.
A study by the European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine at the University of Basel compared regulatory requirements for new drugs across 12 countries, revealing significant variations. Harmonization could improve efficiency and reduce prices, making innovative drugs available faster.
A study of over 3000 asthma patients in Australia and New Zealand found that while more expensive medication was used in Australia, similar treatment outcomes were achieved despite better adherence to medication in the cheaper-medicine country. The findings suggest that policy differences play a significant role in asthma management.
A Cleveland Clinic study found that price increases for nitroprusside and isoproterenol led to a significant decrease in their use between 2012 and 2015. The medications, used primarily in hospitals with no direct-to-consumer advertising, saw a 53% and 35% drop in patient treatment respectively.
A study found that prices for generic antibiotics vary significantly across different types of pharmacies, with independent pharmacies offering lower prices when using online coupons. The researchers estimate that consumers can save up to $100 or more by shopping around.
Medical expenditures in the US have increased by 47% between 1996-1997 and 2011-2012, mainly due to higher prescription drug use. However, primary care physician visits and home health care costs remained relatively stable.
A new study reveals that non-adherence to medication regimens significantly increases healthcare costs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Adhering to prescribed medication can help reduce costs and improve health outcomes.
Researchers at Lancaster University showcase a new smartphone app that can verify product authenticity using graphene-based digital fingerprints. The technology has the potential to eradicate product counterfeiting and forgery, two of the costliest crimes in the world.
A University of Florida study found that generic drug prices increase when market competition levels drop, particularly among lower-priced drugs. The research analyzed 1.08 billion prescription claims and estimated competition levels using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index.
Researchers found that generic drug prices rose significantly when market competition decreased, particularly in lower-priced drugs. The study suggests understanding the connection between competition and price may help identify older prescription drugs at higher risk for price changes in the future.
A new poll reveals that many older adults aren't getting help from doctors and pharmacists on drug costs, despite taking multiple prescriptions. Patients who spoke up about cost received recommendations for less expensive drugs, but there's a need for health professionals to engage with patients more routinely.
A British exit from the EMA could delay the availability of new medicines to the UK market, according to an independent health economist. The author argues that removal from the EMA would jeopardize access not only to emerging treatments but also cheaper off-brand counterparts once patents expire.
A study of 10 high-income countries found that prescription drug costs varied by more than 600% across different primary care medicines. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, highlights differences in drug prices among countries with universal healthcare.
A new study estimates that heroin users have a significant impact on society due to premature death, lost productivity, and chronic infectious diseases. Heroin use was estimated to cost US society over $51 billion in 2015, with the cost per user exceeding $50,799 per year.
A new analysis found that women pay an average of 40 percent more than men for minoxidil foams, a hair loss remedy known as Rogaine. Researchers compared prices at 24 different pharmacies across four states and found the cost difference despite similar ingredients.
Researchers found that disease incidence in states with prohibitive EPT legislation grew significantly faster than in states where EPT was allowed. States with EPT laws may see reduced rates of chlamydia infections, with an average increase of 14.1 cases per 100,000 people.
Research at the University of Missouri School of Medicine highlights the importance of understanding risk factors and following treatment plans to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures. The study emphasizes the need for preventive screening methods, cost-effective medications, and patient education to effectively manage the disease.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that only 38% of emergency medicine healthcare professionals can accurately estimate the costs for three common conditions. This lack of transparency has the potential to lower costs for patients and the overall healthcare system.
A new study by University of Florida researcher Kalyani Sonawane finds that fixed-dose combination therapy associated with lower follow-up doctor visits and hospitalizations. Patients on this therapy are more likely to continue taking their medication as directed, resulting in significant cost savings.
A Brown University study finds that HIV patients persisting with treatment has increased by more than 50% since 2001, with median duration reaching 35.4 months in 2004-2006. Despite progress, significant disparities remain, with certain groups facing higher discontinuation rates.
Researchers developed a novel urine test to diagnose adherence to blood pressure medications, finding that nearly 40% of patients fail to take prescribed medication. Younger patients and females are at higher risk of non-adherence.
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has awarded grant funding to 14 Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire providers to improve care delivery and reduce costs. The grants focus on innovative practices in substance use management, medication adherence, and behavioral health integration.
Researchers analyzed thousands of social media posts to find that IBD patients are more concerned with the risks of biologic medications than their benefits or financial costs. The study suggests that physicians need to do a better job explaining the pros and cons of treatments.
Generic hepatitis C drugs available in India offer significant cost savings by increasing life expectancy by more than eight years and reducing lifetime health care costs by over $1,300 per person. The payback period for the upfront costs of DAA drugs is under 5 years for advanced-stage patients.
A study published in CMAJ found that adding a modest 2% income-based deductible to British Columbia's public drug plan did not decrease prescription medication use among seniors. However, it reduced the number of people who qualified for public subsidy and decreased public drug spending.
The lack of access to essential antibiotics, particularly for treating sick babies and children, is a pressing concern. The high costs involved in registering medicines in multiple countries are the primary cause of this issue, combined with the relatively small market for these antibiotics.
Moleculomics' new technology accelerates drug discovery by simulating protein interactions with chemicals, reducing development time and cost. The platform enables the high-throughput screening of candidate compounds against human proteins, identifying safe and toxic compounds.
A new study found that buprenorphine significantly reduces the duration of therapy for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), cutting treatment time by nearly half. Buprenorphine is a longer-lasting drug than morphine and works differently at the opioid receptor, making it more effective and safer.
A new study suggests that adjusting psychiatric medication can reduce the risk of falls among older adults. The research found an association between depressive symptoms and falls, with moderate increases in depressive symptoms linked to a 30% higher risk of experiencing a fall over two years.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Medicare spending on topical steroids increased by 226.5% and out-of-pocket costs for patients rose by 145.9% between 2011 and 2015. Researchers suggest using physician decision support to pick more affordable generic options, potentially saving $944.8 million and $66.6 million.
A study found that only 18 out of 47 cancer indications approved by the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund showed statistically significant benefits, with a median overall survival benefit of 3.2 months. The majority of drugs failed to show meaningful clinical benefits when considering quality of life and toxic side effects.
The report highlights the need for improved medical responses to toxic inhalation disasters, citing challenges such as limited research data and high costs of FDA approval. The panel recommends developing new laboratory models, extrapolating pathophysiologic mechanisms from similar lung diseases, and creating a robust global infrastruc...
Researchers found that by 18 weeks, only half of individuals on cholinesterase inhibitor medications were continuing to take them. The study also identified the most common side effects, which were primarily gastrointestinal, and found that cost was a major reason for discontinuation.
A new study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that many treatments for urinary and fecal incontinence are ineffective, with surgery being the most successful treatment option. The study analyzed thousands of research articles and found that only 37% of people treated with bulking agents achieved long-term success.
Veterans with heart disease who are also depressed are more likely to struggle with medication costs and delayed medical care. Researchers found that these patients often have higher rates of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and obesity.
A review of studies suggests substituting nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses for physicians can achieve comparable patient outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, satisfaction, and quality of life. However, more research is needed to confirm the cost-effectiveness and quality of healthcare.
A new study by Penn researchers found that Medicare patients with chronic illnesses, such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, paid an average of $6,322 per year in out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D. The study proposes policy changes to cap annual out-of-pocket costs and spread them more evenly throughout the year.
A pilot study published in British Medical Journal Open found that pharmacist medicines reconciliation significantly reduced medicine discrepancies and potential hospital readmissions. The study involved 200 patients, with nearly all medication discrepancies identified at both transfer points being addressed in the intervention arm.
Three Harvard experts discuss the economics of precision medicine, highlighting factors such as innovative incentives, higher prices due to biologic drugs, and limited competition. The authors propose potential solutions to increase patient access to these medicines, including financial instruments and price competition.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a commonly prescribed drug for pregnant women with a history of early delivery provides no benefits, while potentially increasing the risk of gestational diabetes. The researchers also noted a higher rate of preterm births among those treated with the dru...
A recent study following over 500 children with ADHD into adulthood found that extended stimulant medication use is associated with suppressed adult height but not reduced symptoms of ADHD. The findings suggest a trade-off between symptom-related benefits and growth-related costs of long-term treatment.
The Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model successfully saved Medicare $345 per person in medical costs without driving up prescription drug coverage costs. Providers' payments are aligned with performance in improving quality and reducing costs, leading to integrated care and effective treatments.
The high cost of drugs has soured public sentiment towards the industry. Industry experts argue that more transparency and perspective are needed to understand the complex reasons behind price hikes.
Adding universal public coverage of essential medicines to the existing system in Canada would significantly reduce financial barriers for Canadians and save $3 billion per year. The list of 117 essential medicines accounted for 44% of all prescriptions written in 2015, suggesting a feasible step towards improving access.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that publicly funding essential medicines for all Canadians could save over $4 billion a year. The researchers identified a list of 117 essential medicines that accounted for 44% of all prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies in 2015.
Researchers have discovered a new way to identify and test new drugs using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), which analyzes drug molecules based on their response to an electrical field. This technique can measure drug properties in seconds, allowing for high-throughput testing of hundreds or thousands of drugs.
A new study found that cancer survivors are changing their prescription drug use due to financial constraints, with a significant proportion of non-elderly adults skipping medication or seeking cheaper options. This phenomenon has important policy implications and highlights the need for improved doctor-patient communication about the ...
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology develop DNA computer capable of detecting several antibodies in blood and performing subsequent calculations. This system allows for controlled drug delivery into the bloodstream, a key step towards intelligent drugs with fewer side effects and lower costs.