Articles tagged with Drug Costs
Research reveals high percentage of poor-quality antimalarials in Guyana/Suriname, including artesunate monotherapy failures. Basic quality control tests help reduce prevalence of substandard medicines in Amazon Basin Countries
A Harvard researcher has found that using traditional, natural medicines can provide significant economic benefits, with households in Madagascar receiving between $30 and $45 per year. The study suggests that if Americans relied on these remedies, they could save up to 63% of their annual healthcare bill.
Physicians feel responsible for assessing and addressing medication adherence but often rely on simple inquiries about adherence, leaving room for improvement. Non-adherence can lead to poor clinical outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher mortality rates.
A new article by Brown University researchers reveals that adopting generic drugs was crucial to the success of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPfAR). The program has reduced its annual per person spending on antiretroviral medicines to $300, and now provides treatment to nearly 2 out of 3 individuals in need.
A new study found that using drug-eluting stents has little relation to patients' predicted risk of restenosis. Reducing unnecessary usage could significantly cut US health costs and prevent complications. The authors suggest incorporating assessment of restenosis risk into regular practice for better-informed decisions.
Researchers developed a silk-based stabilizer that maintains potency of live vaccines and antibiotics even at high storage temperatures. This innovation has the potential to eliminate the need for refrigeration, saving billions in costs and increasing accessibility to third-world populations.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has released comprehensive reviews of the most effective treatments for alcohol dependence, emphasizing medication and psychosocial therapies. These interventions have been shown to be effective in treating problem alcohol use and concurrent disorders.
Hospitals in Canada can save millions by prescribing the cheapest version of medications for patients, according to a new study. The study found that substituting the least expensive version of proton pump inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers could save taxpayers $1.6 million, $162,000, and $14,000 respectively.
The Aging Brain Care model, developed by Indiana University researchers, aims to deliver better health care to older adults through interdisciplinary care teams and personalized treatment plans. The expanded program is expected to reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries.
A recent Queen's University study found that the cheaper drug for treating wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has a higher risk of causing eye inflammation and vision loss. The research indicates that patients receiving the cheaper drug had a 12 times higher risk of serious eye issues, emphasizing the need for caution in its use.
Developing a new, two-step process could stabilize prices for the raw material essential for making malaria treatment drugs. The improved manufacturing method generates less waste and requires less artemisinin, potentially easing supply problems.
A new tool has been developed to help healthcare professionals make informed decisions about which drugs to include in health care formularies. The tool, consisting of a checklist with 48 questions, evaluates the evidence of need, efficacy, medication safety, and other factors.
The report shows facility prices outpaced general inflation, driving health spending growth among the privately insured. Per capita spending on healthcare services averaged $4,255 in 2010, with hospital and ambulatory care facility prices rising 5.1% and 10.1%, respectively.
A team of researchers from UCSF and UC San Diego has identified an approved arthritis drug, auranofin, that is effective against amoebas in lab and animal studies, suggesting it could offer a low-dose, low-cost treatment for dysentery worldwide. The drug has been shown to be 10 times more potent than the current treatment and could be ...
A Penn State study found that 57.6% of patients prescribed antipsychotic medications in 2003 did not have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, highlighting potential savings through reduced off-label use. The study suggests that Medicaid programs may benefit from reducing non-FDA-approved use of these medications.
The US government would benefit from investing more in eliminating socio-environmental risk factors than developing medicines for childhood disabilities. The study cites $76 billion annual disease cost and recommends creating healthy cities like Vancouver to prevent chronic diseases.
Michigan State University researchers Merlin Bruening and Greg Baker have invented a high-performance membrane protein purifier that can simplify the process of isolating desired proteins. This innovation has the potential to reduce costs, speed up new drug development, and improve pharmaceutical efficiency.
A newly launched clinical trial at URMC is testing whether lower doses of an established blood pressure medication can provide the same benefits as a standard dose, potentially reducing side effects and costs. The study aims to learn how varying amounts of the medication affect patients with mild hypertension.
Bedwetting in children aged five years or older is common due to excessive urine production, overactive bladder, and inability to wake up. Treatment options include lifestyle modifications, medication, and bed alarms, with the latter showing long-term success in reducing nighttime water production.
Research found patients with Medicare coverage gaps are 57% more likely to stop taking heart medications, contrary to those with supplemental insurance. The sudden exposure to full costs led to abrupt discontinuation of essential cardiovascular medications.
A study led by University of Michigan physicians shows a single dose of indomethacin can prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis, reducing hospitalizations and costs. The medication is part of a category of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibits an inflammatory response in the pancreas.
A study found that higher out-of-pocket costs for asthma medications in children were associated with lower medication use and increased asthma-related hospitalizations. The findings highlight the need for strategies to improve medication adherence, such as routine access to primary care and pulmonary specialists.
A recent US study found that higher out-of-pocket costs for children's medication are associated with reduced medication use and increased hospitalizations. The study, which analyzed data from over 8,000 patients, suggests that parents may be less sensitive to cost when making decisions for their younger children.
A meta-analysis of 32,053 patients found warfarin to be effective in preventing strokes and non-central nervous system embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. However, elderly patients, women, and those with previous stroke or TIA were at higher risk.
A new study estimates the total economic burden of fragility fractures in the European Union at €39 billion EUR, with hip fractures contributing to over half of all costs. The study highlights the need for preventive action to address the growing number of seniors and estimated doubling of fractures by 2050.
Researchers at Florida State University have developed a new technology that miniaturizes the drug-discovery process, making it significantly cheaper. This innovation could lead to personalized chemotherapy treatments and increased access to high-quality healthcare.
Most Medicare beneficiaries with kidney failure (64%) participate in Part D coverage, with 72% receiving financial assistance. Those without assistance often opt for more expensive plans due to the need for intensive medication therapy.
A telephone-based counseling program using motivational interviewing showed modest improvements in medication adherence for certain subgroups, such as younger patients and those without previous fractures. However, the overall effect was no statistically significant improvement in adherence rates compared to a control group.
Researchers are taking a new approach to developing medications that boost levels of good cholesterol, removing it from the body. Three new versions of CETP blockers show promise as viable new heart drugs, but final judgment may be years away.
A recent review highlights the growing concern of counterfeit medicines being sold online and turning up in legitimate supply chains. The study found that nearly 75 billion dollars worth of fake drugs are sold globally each year, putting millions of lives at risk.
The Southeast Minnesota Beacon Community, led by Mayo Clinic, is showcasing its work on health information exchange (HIE) technology at the HiMSS Conference. The team has developed a system that enables the transfer of patient data between healthcare providers in real-time, improving continuity of care and reducing costs.
A computer model used by researchers at Stanford University found that new triple-therapies for genotype-1 hepatitis C are cost-effective for patients with advanced disease. The treatment options have more severe side effects and boost costs, but help these patients avoid costly cancers and liver transplants.
A study led by University of Nottingham found that pharmacist-led intervention schemes can significantly reduce prescribing errors in general practices. The scheme involves a pharmacist working with GPs to identify and correct medication errors, resulting in reductions of up to 50 percent in errors related to specific medications.
A Pittsburgh study found that regional differences in Medicare drug spending are primarily due to the use of more expensive brand-name drugs, rather than volume. The study suggests that promoting the use of generic medications could lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and save Medicare money.
The financial burden of prescription drugs is decreasing, with generic medications playing a key role. In 2008, over 8 million nonelderly Americans faced high drug-cost burdens, with nearly 1/4 living in families where out-of-pocket costs accounted for more than half of all healthcare expenses.
The article proposes an ethical framework to guide coverage decisions for expensive orphan drugs, considering the tension between saving lives and avoiding unfair advantages to identifiable patients. It suggests evaluating potential health gains in context and weighing opportunity costs to determine acceptable expenditure.
Research on US healthcare overuse is understudied, but a new study identifies contributing factors and suggests strategies for improvement. The study found that rates of overuse vary widely across services and interventions.
Mephedrone users in the UK are eager to try new legal highs due to declining quality and rising prices. They prioritize substance purity over scientific research and online reviews, with some seeking a safer alternative to the already illicit substance.
A Scripps-led study published in JAMA finds that the new drug cangrelor successfully 'bridges' patients with recent stents to cardiac surgery without excessive bleeding. The trial showed 99% of cangrelor-treated patients maintained target levels of platelet inhibition.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute develop simple process for artemisinin synthesis using waste product from current production as starting substance. The new method uses photochemistry to incorporate an endoperoxide group into the molecule, producing large volumes of artemisinin under controlled conditions. This could cover global de...
A recent UBC study reveals that 9.6% of Canadians report not filling their prescriptions due to cost concerns, with those without drug insurance facing significant challenges. Individuals without insurance are 4.5 times more likely to avoid prescribed medications, while those with low incomes are 3.3 times more likely to skip doses.
A study by the University of British Columbia and others found that one in four people without drug insurance cannot afford to fill prescriptions. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,300 participants who reported cost-related nonadherence due to lack of affordable medication options.
Researchers found that a brief adherence program improves blood sugar test results and depression symptoms in patients with Type 2 diabetes and depression. The study showed that 60.9% of patients with integrated care had improved blood sugar test results, compared to 35.7% with usual primary care.
Emerging evidence-based interventions can make drugs less available, reduce violence in drug markets, and lessen misuse of legal drugs. The Lancet Series on Addiction suggests that policy makers should focus on interventions with the largest potential population effect and strongest evidence of effectiveness.
A study found that consumers expect communal principles in churches and pharmaceutical companies, but become outraged when they prioritize commercial interests. Organizations can communicate with consumers by framing their motives as part of their community's shared values.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that eliminating copayments for heart attack medications increased patient adherence, reducing major vascular events and healthcare spending. Rates of combined endpoint were not significantly improved, but individual outcomes such as readmission and angina showed significant reductions.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, have discovered a new process to manufacture ultra-low molecular weight heparin drug. The discovery uses chemicals and enzymes to reduce production steps from 50 to 10-12, increasing yield 500-fold and decreasing cost.
A Wayne State University researcher is using a three-year grant to examine the links between stress and drug use in heroin users. The study aims to understand how pharmacologically induced stress affects decisions to seek money or drugs.
The Common Drug Review introduced in 2003 standardized the process for public drug plans, covering 39% of Canada's $31 billion in forecasted drug costs. The review led to a significant decrease in drug listings, with smaller provinces experiencing earlier access to new drugs.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that taking blood pressure-lowering medications at bedtime improves blood pressure control and reduces the risk of heart problems. Patients who took their medications before bed had better outcomes than those who took them in the morning.
Research found that drug company stock prices increased by 13.7% before positive phase III clinical trials and decreased by 0.7% before negative trials. The study also showed that stock prices of established companies with positive trial results were more likely to increase than those of smaller companies with negative trial results.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have been awarded NIH grants to create novel therapeutics for treating heart disease. They will also develop technology to significantly reduce the time and costs required to test drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
A University of Chicago Medical Center expert argues that taking oral anti-cancer medications with food could reduce overdose risks and save patients money. The medication ZYTIGA is a prime example, where taking it with food can increase its effectiveness by up to tenfold.
University of Missouri researchers recommend a personal systems approach that focuses on integrating medication taking into daily routines, involving supportive people and tracking adherence. This approach aims to address the high costs associated with non-adherence, including hospitalizations and wasted medications.
A new study examining direct-to-consumer drug ads on TV aims to determine whether these ads educate patients and improve health or drive up sales. The researchers will analyze data from millions of patients using Nielsen Media Research and healthcare utilization data.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients in integrated healthcare systems with electronic health records and linked pharmacies are more likely to collect their new prescriptions for diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure medications. The study revealed primary non-adherence rates of 7% for blood pressure medication, 11% fo...
A global study reveals that cheap, preventive medicines are underused to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The study found that women take these medicines less frequently than men, and low-income countries have the lowest usage rates. Generic preparations with expired patents should be prescribed more widely to patients at risk.
The PURE study found extreme under-use of proven secondary CVD prevention therapies worldwide, particularly in middle and low-income countries. Common medications like aspirin and statins were under-utilized seven-fold between high and low income countries, highlighting a massive treatment gap.
A global study by McMaster researchers found that too few patients are using simple, cheap, and proven drugs to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The study, which included data from 17 countries, found significant gaps in the use of these medications, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that temporary emergency department staff are more likely to be involved in medication errors that harm patients. The research found that temporary workers' unfamiliarity with hospital systems, protocols, and procedures increases the risk of serious medical errors.