Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
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.
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%.
The new issue of the Annals of Global Health presents a core set of recommendations for optimizing diabetes care globally. The main findings emphasize the need for each nation to assess region-specific epidemiology, establish public health imperatives, and commit to education and research to advance culturally-sensitive guidelines.
ESTEVE has developed two new investigational gene therapies, EGT-201 and EGT-301, to treat Sanfilippo B syndrome and Hunter syndrome. The treatments join a promising gene therapy platform aimed at restoring enzyme function in patients with severe and debilitating rare diseases.
A new study demonstrates that pediatric patients with asthma who received their medications in hospital are more likely to avoid emergency department visits. The 'Meds-in-Hand' program, which provides on-site pharmacy delivery, significantly reduced ED visits and improved patient outcomes for discharged children with asthma.
Seven major pharmaceutical companies have signed up to a groundbreaking Parkinson's consortium aimed at accelerating the development of safe and effective therapies. The consortium will share data, expertise, and resources with leading academics and industry members to promote and develop new treatments for Parkinson's.
Researchers found that adding mechanical clot removal to clot-busting drugs lowered stroke survivors' medical bills by $20,396 compared to medication alone. This translates to a potential healthcare cost savings of $13,491,564 if all patients were treated with clot removal plus medication.
The cost of an effective stroke clot-busting drug, alteplase, has more than doubled to $6,400 for a standard vial, but Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement have only increased by 8%. This disparity highlights the need for better reimbursement rates to ensure hospitals can provide high-quality care without losing money.
Experts argue that drug discovery should focus on 'validity', predicting results in sick people, rather than industrialization or fashion. Mathematical tools show that small changes in validity can have a bigger effect than running more experiments.
Researchers found that patients taking strong anticholinergic medications performed poorly on attention tests and had lower physical function compared to those not taking the medication. The study suggests that alternative treatment options may be more effective in rehabilitating patients with dementia.
Generic drugs are increasingly inaccessible due to pharmaceutical companies' strategies to delay market entry. These tactics include pay-for-delay deals, authorized generics, and product hopping, which can lead to higher prices for patients.
A new study comparing smoking cessation therapies found that 12-week treatment with a nicotine patch, varenicline, or combination therapy produced similar quit rates at 26 and 52 weeks. The treatments did not differ significantly on any abstinence outcome measure.
The TPP may drive up pharmaceutical prices in low-income countries, diminishing access to essential medications. The agreement also raises concerns about individual country litigation against multi-national pharmaceutical companies.
Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reviewed the scientific evidence for top-selling over-the-counter dietary supplements sold to improve male sexual health. While some natural supplements show promise, they lack robust human evidence and can be pure or weak.
A new study finds that Medicaid programs provide inadequate help for smoking cessation, with 10% of smokers receiving anti-smoking medication. States vary in their efforts to support smokers, with some providing more access than others.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that both traditional Medicaid expansion and the 'private option' approach significantly reduced uninsured rates and improved access to affordable healthcare for low-income adults. In Kentucky and Arkansas, which expanded coverage through these approaches, the uninsured rat...
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that unmet socioeconomic needs, such as difficulty affording food or transportation, are directly related to poor health outcomes. Patients with unmet needs were more likely to have chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that cancer drug prices vary significantly between European countries, with some nations paying up to 388% more than others for the same medication. The UK and Mediterranean countries have the lowest average unit manufacturer prices for a group of 31 originator cancer drugs, while German...
The study found that prices for all surveyed classes of brand-name drugs increased by an average of 401%, with topical antineoplastic drugs experiencing the largest percentage increase at 1240%. Psoriasis medications had the smallest average percentage increase, rising by just 180%.
The American College of Physicians recommends prescribing generic medications when available, as it improves health outcomes, reduces harm, and eliminates wasteful practices. Generic substitution can lead to better long-term medication adherence and save patients $1.4 billion annually.
The American College of Physicians recommends prescribing generic medications whenever possible to reduce costs and improve adherence to therapy. Generic medications are as effective as their branded counterparts, but underuse is a significant issue due to misconceptions about safety and efficacy.
Researchers found that treating patients with expensive new drugs for hepatitis C earlier than usual is worth the cost, despite high prices. Early treatment can save healthcare costs and improve patient quality of life by preventing long-term damage from the disease.
Health experts argue that pharmaceutical companies abuse the Orphan Drug Act by marketing drugs for common conditions, generating billions in profits. The law was designed to encourage rare disease treatments but has instead led to high medication costs and monopolies.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that breast cancer patients without prescription drug coverage are less likely to start and continue hormonal therapy due to high costs. Women from lower-income households were particularly affected, highlighting the need for affordable prescription coverage.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a strategy to discover disease progression at its earliest phase by analyzing T-cells. The study found that specific genes can serve as early disease markers, even before symptoms appear.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that tocilizumab, a drug approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is effective in treating polymyalgia rheumatica. The study showed that patients treated with tocilizumab were able to discontinue corticosteroids more quickly and remained in remission over 12 months.
A University of Michigan Medical School team compared the cost-effectiveness of two anticoagulant drugs, dabigatran and warfarin, for preventing stroke in patients over age 65 with atrial fibrillation. They found that new drugs are more cost-effective for those with prescription coverage, but may not be worth it for those without cover...
Experts discuss the impact of affordable medicines on breast cancer treatment, highlighting the importance of healthcare structures in improving patient outcomes. The lack of effective systems can negate even new, expensive treatments.
A new MSU study analyzed historical data from India to find reliable economic information on drug use. It shows that users switch between opium and cannabis when the price of one goes up, a phenomenon called substitution. This finding has significant policy implications for tackling addiction.
A study of Canadian patients found that off-label prescription drug use was associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs), particularly when the use lacked strong scientific evidence. The study also found that patients using multiple medications had a significantly increased risk for ADEs.
A study of federal marketplace insurance plans found nearly 15% lacking in-network specialists for at least one specialty, affecting patient access to specialized care. This issue raises concerns about network adequacy and high out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
Researchers have identified growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10) as a molecule that promotes brain cell formation of new connections after a stroke. The discovery may lead to the development of a treatment to enhance brain repair and functional recovery in people who have suffered a stroke.
Health economists from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine argue that universal access to medicines is critical in controlling neglected diseases, major infections, and chronic diseases. The PURE study reveals that secondary prevention is unavailable and unaffordable in many communities worldwide, highlighting the need for polici...
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that the use of vital life-saving generic medicines for prevention in people with existing heart disease is poor worldwide. The study found that these medicines are not widely available and unaffordable in low-income countries, affecting their use even in rich nations.
Biosimilars are complex proteins that provide therapeutically equivalent alternatives to expensive biologics, reducing treatment costs in rheumatology and other fields. The introduction of biosimilars into clinical practice requires careful management to ensure patient safety and efficacy.
A study by the University of Virginia found that low-income HIV patients enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans achieved higher viral suppression rates compared to those receiving only medications through direct AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). This approach allows the state to cover more patients in a cost-effective wa...
A new study suggests that a diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence, with results showing a 30-40% reduction in consumption and prevention of relapse. The medication works by interfering with the hormone GLP-1, which regulates food intake and reward centers.
Researchers are exploring how minerals from a healthy diet can be used in bioelectronics to create ingestible devices that power electronic pills. The goal is to reduce the amount of expensive medications needed for each patient, making them more cost-effective.
Researchers create economic model to assess life expectancy, management of adverse effects, and quality of life for new oncology drugs like necitumumab. The study finds that the value-based price for necitumumab ranges between $563 and $1,309 per three-week cycle.
Researchers predict a 50-76% decrease in Medicaid payments for antipsychotic medicines by 2016 and 2019, respectively. Generic versions of these medications will become more widely available, leading to substantial financial savings.
Websites for national and state health insurance marketplaces have shown improved efforts to assist patients in choosing health insurance plans, such as providing decision support tools. Despite this, many sites still lack helpful features like lay-person definitions and cost calculators.
A new study finds African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the coverage gap in Medicare Part D, with older blacks facing significant challenges affording their medications. Social workers can play a crucial role in connecting individuals to available resources and helping them navigate the complex enrollment process.
A new study found that GeneSight CPGx precision medicine testing improves medication adherence and reduces polypharmacy in patients treated with antidepressants and antipsychotics. The test resulted in substantial cost savings of $1,036 per year per patient.
A study published in CMAJ found that people with food insecurity use more health care services and incur higher health care costs. Adults in marginally food-insecure households had 23% higher health care costs, while those in severely food-insecure households had 121% higher costs.
A new initiative to add price tags to medicines worth over £20 in England may have unintended consequences, warns an editorial in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB). The move could lead vulnerable patients to worry about being a burden on society, while others may view cheaper drugs as less important. Furthermore, the added cost ...
A modeling study predicts treating hypertension in China could prevent between 600,000 and 1,000,000 cardiovascular disease events annually. The intervention is projected to be borderline cost-effective, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $18,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained.
Researchers found that changing industry standards for maintenance therapy can maintain treatment responses and lower side effects. The study tested three dosing strategies: nightly dosing with 10mg, intermittent dosing with 10mg 3-5 days a week, or partial reinforcement through nightly pills with half placebo capsules.
Outpatient pharmacy expenditures totaled $475,718,130 for publicly insured children with serious chronic illness in California. Antihemophilic factor was the most expensive medication, accounting for 98% of its class's expenditures and 41% of total pharmacy expenditures.
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has launched a new program to provide independent analysis on pricing linked to patient benefit for new FDA-approved drugs. The program will produce public reports near the time of FDA approval, providing a transparent basis for price negotiations and coverage decisions.
A Stanford study found that high out-of-pocket costs for antimicrobial drugs in developing countries lead to increased drug-resistant pathogens. Patients often turn to the black market or informal clinics, where poor-quality drugs and inadequate care contribute to resistance.
A new study at FAU will examine the impact of an injectable long-acting antipsychotic medication on patients with severe schizophrenia, aiming to reduce relapse and re-hospitalization. The two-year research aims to investigate treatment adherence and its effect on 30-day hospital readmission rates.
Current blood cancer drug prices are too high to be considered cost-effective in the US, according to a recent MD Anderson Cancer Center study. The researchers found that 63% of 20 studies evaluated had costs per additional life-year higher than $50,000, indicating that current prices cannot be justified based on improved quality of life.
Researchers from Northeastern University conclude that Medicare Part D did not save the program any money overall. Despite increased access to prescription drugs, there was no significant decrease in emergency room visits, hospital stays, or healthcare spending. The study's findings challenge the Congressional Budget Office's methodolo...
Cardiovascular outcomes trials are considered a high-risk venture due to long treatment periods and large sample sizes required to demonstrate incremental risk reduction. Simplifying randomized controlled trials could bring new therapies to market sooner, mitigating the impact of exclusivity loss and reducing development costs.
The ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) provides a rational approach to grading the magnitude of clinical benefit of anti-cancer medicines. The scale will be applied to new drugs approved by the EMA, with high-scoring drugs highlighted in the ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines.