Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
The study found that marketplace enrollees had lower average drug spending per person and were less likely to use most medication classes than patients enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance. However, marketplace enrollees were much more likely to use medicines for hepatitis C and HIV.
A recent study published in the BMJ finds that anti-osteoporotic medication is not effective in preventing hip fractures among older adults. The research highlights that falls and balance disorders are more significant contributors to hip fractures than bone brittleness, challenging current treatment strategies.
A new study estimates that a cure for hepatitis C could generate significant economic benefits, including $3.2 billion in annual productivity savings in the US and Europe. The treatment, ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, has a high cure rate and fewer side effects, resulting in reduced absenteeism and improved workplace productivity.
A disease-specific employee-based health plan can improve medication adherence by almost five percent, translating to a one percent reduction in healthcare spending. The plan also reduces hospital visits and emergency treatment centers.
Researchers found no significant difference between treatment outcomes of patients using locally sourced and internationally quality-assured antibiotics. The study suggests that locally procured drugs can be a sustainable strategy, encouraging local pharmaceutical industries to adhere to quality standards.
A new study found that US multiple sclerosis drug prices have soared by 700% in two decades, with no drugs available for under $50,000 a year. The research highlights systemic problems in the pharmaceutical industry and a need for public awareness and involvement.
A new study reveals a sharp increase in MS drug costs over the past 20 years, with long-standing drugs like Betaseron and Copaxone seeing average annual price hikes of 21-36%. The study highlights the need for reform to address unsustainable pricing and ensure life-changing treatments remain accessible to patients.
A recent study by the University of Liverpool suggests that the hepatitis B drug entecavir can be mass-produced for £24 ($36) per person per year, making it more accessible to developing countries. This could lead to significant reductions in liver cancer and cirrhosis cases, as well as lower death rates from Hepatitis B.
A recent study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis face high initial copayments and then fall into a coverage gap, where they pay 45% of drug costs. This financial burden can be substantial, with some patients paying over $2,700 annually before receiving relief from catastrophic coverage.
Researchers analyzed 2,028 antimalarials from Cambodia and Tanzania, finding no evidence of fake medicines, but substandard drugs were present in 31% of samples in Cambodia and 12% in Tanzania. The study highlights the importance of surveillance to protect patients and prevent drug resistance.
A retrospective cohort study of nearly 217,000 patients with gout found that prescription rates for effective gout treatment decreased after the FDA increased prices. The study also showed significant increases in monthly total prescription bills, highlighting the negative impact of regulatory actions on access to affordable medications.
A new study finds that effective new hepatitis C drugs are extremely costly, with some treatments costing between $94,500 and $189,000. The state of Rhode Island would need to spend almost twice its entire prison health budget to treat all its chronically infected inmates.
Uninsured cancer patients pay 2-43 times more than Medicare and private insurers for chemotherapy drugs, according to a new study. The study found significant price differences for expensive and inexpensive drugs alike.
A new study suggests that using plain language, graphics, and stories can simplify the health insurance enrollment process for people who have never had insurance before. The research found that these methods helped participants make informed choices about their coverage options and increased their confidence in their decisions.
A University of Missouri researcher found that behavioral interventions for patients are more effective than those targeting healthcare providers in improving medication adherence. The study analyzed 29 interventions and concluded that patient-centered approaches can help identify the root causes of non-adherence.
A new investigation by The BMJ reveals that NHS doctors could prescribe the affordable and effective sight loss drug Avastin for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. If allowed, this could release £102 million annually to reinvest in other frontline patient services.
A study by Boston Medical Center researchers finds that new Hepatitis C treatments are highly effective but only cost-effective for patients with advanced liver disease or those who have previously failed treatment. The therapy's wholesale cost of $85,000 per course is prohibitively expensive for healthier patients.
A new study suggests discontinuing statins in patients with life-limiting illness can improve quality of life without adverse health effects. The study found no significant differences in mortality between those who continued and discontinued statin therapy.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that drug companies have extended patents on insulin for over 90 years, preventing generic versions from entering the market. This has led to costly treatment options, with prices ranging from $120 to $400 per month, and hospitalizations due to uncontrolled diabetes.
A study by MIT economist Ernst Berndt and colleagues found that the prices of leading cancer drugs increased by 10% annually from 1995 to 2013, even after adjusting for inflation and incremental health benefits. The researchers suggest that rising prices reflect a greater social tolerance for significant healthcare costs.
A study by Mayo Clinic Cancer Center reveals the average price of cancer drugs in the US has increased significantly over the years, affecting patient care. The authors recommend six potential solutions to control high drug costs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and implementing value-based pricing.
A new study from the University of British Columbia suggests that Canada can implement universal public drug coverage without increasing taxes. The study estimates that this system would save the Canadian economy $7.3 billion annually by increasing the use of generic drugs and negotiating lower prices with pharmaceutical companies.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that implementing a universal public drug plan could reduce Canada's spending on prescription drugs by $7.3 billion per year, while employers and unions could save an additional $8.2 billion. This cost savings is attributed to economies of scale in price negotiation...
A recent study by the University of Basel analyzed new drugs approved by the FDA from 2003 to 2013, revealing that several parameters have improved efficiency. The researchers found that market access is not inefficient, but rather dependent on collaboration between industry and authorities.
A recent analysis published in CMAJ argues that Canada must ensure fair pricing of all orphan drugs to allow patient access. The study examines the case of trientine, a life-saving therapy for Wilson disease, which saw its price increase 13-fold before being rescinded.
A U-M study found that switching to generic glaucoma medication led to improved adherence rates among patients. Lower copays after the introduction of generics were a key factor in this improvement. However, black patients with severe disease showed decreased adherence compared to white patients.
A recent study published in Blood found that most breakthrough blood cancer therapies have favorable cost-effectiveness ratios, with some treatments providing better value than others. The median ratio for industry-funded studies was $26,000/QALY, while non-industry-funded studies had a median ratio of $33,000/QALY.
Researchers analyze patients' genetic makeup to determine potential reactions to medications and reduce adverse effects. The goal is to increase the quality of life for individuals in behavioral health services, reducing emergency room visits and healthcare costs.
Researchers analyzed data from Medicare and VA patients, revealing that physicians' prescribing decisions are influenced by multiple factors, including patient costs and regional variations. The study highlights the need for improvement in healthcare systems to optimize treatment selection and reduce costs.
Health economics calculations for targeted anti-cancer therapies are often based on assumptions that can change when re-examined. Adjusting these assumptions can significantly alter the cost-effectiveness ratio, making treatments seem more or less viable.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that patients with Parkinson's disease experience improved motor skills when receiving an 'expensive' drug, even if it's just a placebo. The study suggests that harnessing the placebo response could enhance treatment benefits and reduce dosage needs.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that some health insurers are using drug coverage decisions to discourage people with HIV from selecting their plans, resulting in higher costs for those enrolled in these plans. This practice could undermine a central feature of the Affordable Care Act.
Researchers from Indiana University and Regenstrief Institute call for further research to determine if medications' adverse cognitive effects can be reversed. They also highlight the need for safer alternatives to prevent Alzheimer's disease and other dementing disorders.
A study by Concordia University marketing professor Lea Prevel Katsanis and her co-author found that knowledge of the benefits and risks of personalized medicine (PM) is crucial for patient acceptance. The research also highlights the importance of doctor-patient communication in PM adoption.
Market-access agreements for anti-cancer drugs lack transparency, leading to higher prices for patients in small and low-income countries. The financial arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health systems are kept confidential, making it difficult for these countries to negotiate lower prices.
A team at Recursion Pharmaceuticals aims to accelerate the development of therapies for rare diseases by leveraging custom-designed software and human cellular models. The approach has already led to the identification of potential treatments for cerebral cavernous malformation, a rare hereditary vascular disease.
Physicians urge policy-makers to address care gaps due to misalignment of reimbursement policies and clinical guidelines. Newer blood-thinning agents like DOACs are safer and more effective than traditional warfarin, yet government funders restrict access.
A study published in the American Journal of Managed Care found that automated reminders improved medication adherence by 2 percentage points, with significant reductions in cholesterol levels. The study, which included over 21,000 participants, suggests that even small changes can have a big impact on public health.
A McGill University Health Centre study found that adopting structured antibiotic time-outs led to decreased antibiotic costs and a small decline in Clostridium difficile infections. The time-out program, which involved regular re-evaluation of treatment strategies, resulted in improved prescribing practices among physicians.
A new drug combination for rheumatoid arthritis treats the disease just as well as other intensive treatment strategies but with less medication and fewer side effects. The COBRA Slim strategy, which calls for the least amount of medication, had half as many side effects as the two other strategies and was just as effective.
A new analysis of current evidence suggests that expensive and cheaper drugs both work well in easing diabetes nerve pain. Considering the significant cost difference between medications, doctors should prioritize cost when prescribing treatments for diabetic neuropathy until more studies are done.
A new study by the RAND Corporation estimates that biosimilar drugs could save the US healthcare system $44.2 billion over 10 years by reducing costs and increasing competition. The introduction of biosimilars is expected to drive down prices for complex biologic drugs used to treat illnesses such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients treated first with metformin were less likely to require treatment intensification compared to those who started with sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, or DPP-4 inhibitors. Metformin also reduced the need for added insulin and was not associated with increased rates of hypoglycemia or cardiovascular events.
Researchers found that generic aromatase inhibitors increased treatment adherence by 50% compared to brand-name counterparts, while also decreasing co-payment costs. The study highlights the critical need to address medication non-adherence, particularly in the context of costly oral cancer therapies.
Researchers found that treating inmates with sofosbuvir is cost-effective compared to other treatments approved by the FDA. The study suggests that the treatment can add up to 2.1 quality-adjusted life years and save healthcare programs from paying out more in the future.
A cost-value review of specialty versus traditional drugs found that specialty drugs offered greater gains for patients despite higher costs. Specialty drug coupons helped reduce patient out-of-pocket costs but may decrease insurers' ability to manage drugs.
The study will evaluate the benefits of genetic testing to guide medication decisions for patients with depression or schizophrenia, including clinical outcomes and cost benefits. The research aims to provide personalized treatment recommendations tailored to individual patient genetics.