Articles tagged with Drug Costs
The Lancet Commission estimates the monthly cost of a basic package of 201 essential medicines could be as low as $1-2 per person, addressing universal health coverage goals. However, many countries spend less than this amount on medicines, highlighting the need for additional financing to meet basic healthcare needs.
A comprehensive model estimates the cost of providing a set of essential medicines to all people in low- and middle-income countries. The model suggests that it would cost $13 to $25 per capita annually to ensure access to these medicines, with total costs ranging from $77 billion to $152 billion.
A new study found that regions with higher uptake of the program saw a 40% decline in hospitalizations to treat chronic conditions among indigenous Australians. Hospitalization rates dropped from 82.3 per 1,000 in 2009 to 61.2 per 1,000 in 2011.
Research finds generic cancer drugs are generally safe in countries with robust regulatory programs, but safety is uncertain in those with weaker oversight. In the US, economic studies show price savings from generics are limited by high review costs and lack of competition.
Researchers at University of Minnesota and Dow Chemical Company developed a new method for customizing ingredients in oral medications to improve solubility and absorption. The discovery has the potential to lower production costs and advance the development of life-saving drugs.
A recent study found that Medicaid policies requiring tobacco-cessation counseling actually decrease the use of anti-smoking medications among smokers, with a one-quarter to one-third reduction. This is due to barriers erected for smokers who want to quit.
Simple images designed to convey information about prescription drugs could help save lives by reducing non-adherence to treatment. The study found that including pictograms on written medication instructions helps seniors take their drugs correctly, especially those with lower education levels.
A team of researchers from Wayne State University will test a technology-based intervention to improve medication adherence among African American emerging adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma. The goal is to enhance illness management and health outcomes at a low cost.
A recent study found that patients who continued with their prescribed medical therapy after stent or bypass surgery had significantly better outcomes than non-adherent patients. Adherence to antiplatelets and statins was a more powerful predictor of adverse event-free survival than the type of revascularization procedure.
A recent study by Bangor University found that pharmaceutical companies marketing orphan drugs for rare diseases can be up to 15% more profitable than other drug companies. This is due to the lucrative market for these treatments, with some costing as much as £340,000 per patient per year.
Former USPSTF chairs, Virginia A. Moyer, Michael LeFevre, and Ned Calonge, suggest that guidelines should only inform, not dictate, insurance coverage decisions. They cite Mylan's attempt to influence the panel as a flawed example of this issue.
Copay assistance programs are a Band-Aid on the problem of high drug prices. Experts argue that these programs actually drive up healthcare costs and limit access to essential medications. To mitigate this impact, policymakers should redirect their focus towards innovation incentives, not just cost containment.
A new study finds that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent up to 99% of new HIV infections among high-risk gay men in Toronto. By engaging these individuals with healthcare, PrEP also reduces costs and increases health outcomes.
A pair of experts, Mark Fendrick and Michael Chernew, propose altering consumer cost-sharing in health insurance plans to make services more affordable based on individual patient and provider factors. They suggest changes to IRS rules, Medicare plan design, and encouraging value-based cost-sharing to promote high-value clinical services.
A recent study found that nearly a third of Medicare patients with chronic myeloid leukemia did not start treatment within six months due to high out-of-pocket costs. However, patients who had access to subsidies to cover drug costs started treatment 50 days sooner on average.
Researchers and editors of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin express concerns about the clinical and cost-effectiveness of nalmefene, a drug approved to curb excess drinking. The authors argue that the limited data on its effectiveness raises questions about its continued use in the NHS.
A study found that medication abortions in Ohio required more interventions, side effects, and higher costs after an outdated protocol was implemented. Women who had abortions post-law period were three times more likely to need additional interventions.
High prescription drug prices in US exceed other industrialized nations due to market exclusivity and lack of price negotiation. The study suggests enforcing stricter exclusivity requirements and enhancing competition through timely generic availability can help reduce costs.
Researchers found significant increases in Americans able to afford prescriptions following Medicare Part D and Affordable Care Act implementation. Despite this, nearly 20 million adults struggle with prescription costs.
Per capita spending on US prescription drugs is the highest in the world, driven by brand-name prices that can rise substantially during competition-free periods. The authors argue for limiting market exclusivity rights and ensuring timely generic drug availability to reduce costs.
Patients with persistent face pain may experience significant disability and inconvenience due to inadequate treatment. Experts propose a 'hub and spoke' model for efficient diagnosis and management, which could save the NHS money while improving patient outcomes.
The MINERVA study found a significant association between higher medication adherence rates and improved patient outcomes, including reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and healthcare costs. Fully adherent patients had a lower risk of MACE compared to partially and non-adherent populations.
The study found that PCSK9 inhibitors are not cost-effective for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, requiring annual drug prices to be reduced by over two-thirds. Reducing prices could lower US health care costs by $29 billion over 5 years.
Two insurance expansion approaches under ACA associated with increased outpatient and preventive care, reduced emergency department use, and improved self-reported health. The Medicaid expansion and alternative private option were linked to gains in coverage, primary care access, and reduced out-of-pocket spending.
PharmacoEconomics - Open will provide readers with the latest on cost and health outcomes associated with drugs, devices, and healthcare interventions. The new journal aims to disseminate credible open access information to researchers, decision makers, and patients, maximizing the reach of their work.
The TAILOR-PCI Study aims to determine whether prescribing antiplatelet therapy based on a patient's CYP2C19 genotype can prevent heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. The study, which began in 2013, plans to enroll 5,270 patients and investigate the effects of genomics on treatment outcomes.
Researchers investigate how NHS England is hindering access to expensive hepatitis C treatments, citing NICE guidelines and company pricing as key factors. The study reveals a system of rationing and delayed treatment, prompting concerns over patient welfare and the role of drug companies' pricing strategies.
Research shows how a 'wonder drug' for hepatitis C was acquired by a pharmaceutical company, doubling its price and channelling profits into buying shares. This strategy limits innovation and leaves the public paying twice - once for initial research and then for high-priced medications.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania estimates that the average joint contains 0.32 grams of marijuana, significantly lower than previous estimates of 0.3-0.75 grams. This finding has important implications for understanding marijuana trafficking and revenue projections post-legalization.
A new study published in PNAS shows that vagus nerve stimulation significantly improves measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment, which involves stimulating the vagus nerve with an implantable device, has been shown to inhibit cytokine production and attenuate disease severity in humans.
A researcher at Queen's University recommends that Canada create an essential medicines list to help protect against drug shortages. The list could include up to 500 medicines and would be helpful as the country considers a Pharmacare plan.
A study found that breast cancer patients who did not adhere to their medication schedule for chronic conditions before diagnosis were twice as likely to skip oral adjuvant hormonal therapy. Non-adherence rates were higher among women with certain age groups, medical specialties, and co-payments.
A survey of over 3,600 adults with RA found that patients value patient participation in multidisciplinary team conferences, leading to better outcomes. Patients want more involvement in treatment planning, with 70% satisfied but desiring fewer medications and more choices.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that recently developed hepatitis C medicines have a wide range of prices globally, with the US having the highest nominal price. The researchers also calculated that treating the entire HCV infected population in some countries could be as expensive as 190% of the total pharmaceutical expenditure.
A commentary suggests that gene therapy treatments for rare diseases should be valued based on long-term cost savings. The authors propose tying costs to efficacy and creating a federal initiative to support new therapies.
A new approach to health care could involve tailoring treatments to individual genetic makeup, lifestyle and environment. This precision medicine method aims to replace the use of race in treatment decisions and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
A new report highlights seven areas of focus within COPD care, including improving access to education, medications, and non-medication interventions. The report also emphasizes the need for more research funding and development of cost-effective treatments.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the US, yet patients often face out-of-pocket costs and inadequate care. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine report highlights these challenges, including high medication costs and variable insurance coverage.
A new study suggests that therapeutic substitution could help drive down the cost of prescription medications by substituting chemically different compounds within the same class of drugs. The study estimated potential savings through therapeutic substitution for drug classes with both generic and brand-name options, resulting in reduc...
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that loperamide, a key ingredient in Imodium, is being abused by people seeking to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms or euphoria. The medication's safety is compromised when used in high doses, leading to cardiac dysrhythmia and death.
A study by Sebastian Salas-Vega and Elias Mossialos found a wide variation in the value of cancer drugs across 9 countries, with the US spending more than others but witnessing one of the smallest improvements in cancer-related mortality. The authors calculated a $32.6 billion net positive return from cancer drug care in the US in 2014.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) endorses cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the primary treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. CBT-I combines cognitive therapy around sleep with various behavioral therapies.
Cancer drug costs have increased by six times over the past decade, with newly approved medications costing an average of $11,325 per month, compared to $1,869 for those introduced in 2000. This trend may impact patients' ability to access these drugs and their financial burden.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that dexamethasone was effective in treating mild to moderate asthma in ER patients with only slightly higher relapse rates compared to a 5-day course of prednisone. The single-dose medication eliminates prescription adherence barriers such as forgetfulness and cost.
A national PrEP program for injection drug users is cost-prohibitive due to high drug prices, but investing in naloxone therapy, medical insurance, and detoxification programs could prevent HIV infections more effectively. The study suggests that alternative approaches may be a better use of HIV prevention resources.
A new analysis of 204 studies involving over 1.4 million people suggests that metformin reduces the relative risk of dying from heart disease by 30-40% compared to sulfonylureas. The study also evaluated other drug effects, including glucose control and side effects.
A potentially pan-genotypic combination of ravidasvir and sofosbuvir will be tested in Malaysia and Thailand to treat hepatitis C at a target price of under $300. The treatment, licensed by DNDi, aims to provide an affordable cure for the deadly disease that treats all strains.
A study found that the prevalence of treated diabetes increased from 5.2% to 7.7% in the US, while estimated spending for insulin per patient rose from $231 to $736 between 2002 and 2013. Insulin prices skyrocketed, with average prices increasing by 197% over the same period.
The cost of insulin more than tripled from $231 to $736 per year between 2002 and 2013, while other diabetes drugs saw a decrease. The study suggests looking again at non-insulin therapies due to the high cost-effectiveness gap.
A value-based insurance plan in Connecticut boosted employee use of targeted preventive services by 13.5 percentage points and reduced emergency room visits, leading to potential cost savings over time.
Researchers at Lehigh University developed a technique to observe cell-to-cell interaction in an environment that closely mimics the human body. This innovation enables real-time microscopic analysis, ideal for developing targeted drugs and testing precision treatments.
Researchers developed an optimized approach to determine prescribed medication associations, reducing processing costs and improving medication inventory management. The method has substantial positive effects on pharmacy automation and management, enabling pharmacies to increase operational efficiency and enhance patient care.
A new US report assesses the massive burden of chronic kidney disease on Medicare, revealing staggering statistics and expensive treatment options. The report aims to inform national healthcare policy and improve care for patients with kidney disease.
The American College of Physicians recommends various policies to stem the rising cost of prescription drugs, including transparency in pricing and comparative effectiveness research. The ACP also supports value-based decision-making and encourages competition through approaches like price negotiation by Medicare.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) calls for policy changes to slow the rising cost of prescription drugs. Recommendations include price transparency, patient cost-sharing, and novel approaches such as price negotiation by Medicare. While some studies suggest potential prevention methods, more research is needed.
Two studies by Penn researchers found that high out-of-pocket costs for specialty drugs reduce their use, particularly for cancer treatments. The studies suggest that cost-sharing policies under Medicare Part D are limiting access to life-saving therapies.
Researchers at Loyola University Health System have developed a new approach to treating hepatitis C, using mathematical models to predict when patients can safely stop taking direct-acting antiviral medication. This approach could lead to a 50% reduction in treatment cost and improved patient adherence.
The new WHO Model List of Essential Medicines includes tumour-specific indications for 46 essential medicines, empowering oncologists to demand quality care. The list aims to reduce disparities in survival outcomes and bring cancer care to developing worlds.
A major study has shown that intervening in primary care health practices can significantly reduce rates of high-risk prescribing of drugs. The study found a 37% reduction in high-risk prescribing and associated reductions in emergency hospital admissions for related complications.
Researchers found that starting patients with CML on generic form of Gleevec (imatinib) would save nearly $100,000 over five years per patient. This translates to huge cost savings for insurers and patients, with the potential to reduce medication costs by 60-90%.