Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
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...
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.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing financial assistance for Medicare patients could result in an additional 18,000 patients discontinuing one or more prescriptions annually. The lack of funding led to a decrease in drug switching despite government advice to switch to generic or low-cost drugs.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a pocket-sized sensor that can detect 'date rape' drugs with 100% accuracy. The sensor works by detecting subtle changes in the optical properties of the drink, alerting users to potential danger.
Research at National Jewish Health found that poorly controlled asthma doubles healthcare costs, with children missing an average of 18 days of school annually. Proper education and supervision can improve asthma control and reduce costs, improving the lives and chances for success of affected children.
A study found that one in ten elderly Medicare patients skip prescribed medication due to cost, regardless of cancer presence. Cancer survivors and non-survivors show similar rates of cost-related non-adherence, using strategies like generic medications and price comparisons.
A study found that Medicare Part D implementation led to significant reductions in nondrug medical spending, particularly for inpatient care. The reduction was attributed to increased medication use and adherence among beneficiaries with limited prior drug coverage.
A new study examines the cost-effectiveness of MS drugs in the US, finding that they come at a high cost compared to basic therapy and other chronic diseases. The research suggests that reducing medication prices by 67% could improve the cost-benefit ratio and support earlier disease-modifying therapy.
A study analyzed data from 844 individuals with early-stage Multiple Sclerosis and found that disease-modifying drugs provide modest health gains, but their cost is more than 8 times higher than considered reasonable. The study's authors highlight the need to reevaluate treatment costs to control healthcare expenses.
Researchers advocate for expanded EHR use to address medical errors and improve care quality. Implementing Joint Commission's 2011 National Patient Safety Goals into EHR criteria can help fast-track the use of EHRs for patient safety.
A new study published in Addiction found that women in drug court with current major depression were more likely to use crack cocaine within four months. The study suggests that addressing depression could reduce the number of women who fail to beat crack addiction in drug court.
A recent study shows that generic medications can reduce the cost of treating chronic diseases by up to 80%, making preventive care a more affordable option. The research team recommends policy makers promote the use of generics in treatment standards and educate physicians and patients about their effectiveness.
Independent reviews report that many new drugs offer few advantages over existing ones, with median development costs ranging from $13 million to $333 million. This challenges the oft-quoted cost of bringing a new drug to market as high as $1.32 billion.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that generic anti-epilepsy drugs have varying levels of effectiveness, particularly when switched between two generics, raising concerns about safe dosing practices. The study highlights the need for policy makers to evaluate standards for generic drugs' similarity to brand-name versions.
The prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the US has increased significantly over the past two decades, with a 34% rise from 1988-1994 to 2005-2008. The estimated numbers of persons with DKD have also increased, from 3.9 million in 1988-1994 to 6.9 million in 2005-2008.
An international study of 11,910 patients from 7 countries found that poorly coordinated care and cost-related barriers significantly increased the risk of medication and medical errors. Poorly co-ordinated care was associated with a 110% to 200% increase in errors, while cost-related barriers increased the risk by 50% to 160%.
A new study found that US Medicaid's Preferred Drug Lists vary widely from state to state, ignoring international guidelines for safe and effective medications. The WHO Essential Medicines List is not used as a basis for state lists, resulting in patients receiving more expensive and less effective treatments.
A peer-reviewed study involving over 3 million pharmacy patients found that Shellpak calendar blister packaging significantly improved prescription adherence behavior. The study showed a substantial cumulative public health benefit when broadly implemented, with improvements in refill persistence and full refill adherence.
Recent study finds glaucoma medication spending has risen, especially among women and those with public health insurance and less education. The average expenditure per patient for glaucoma medication increased from $445 to $557 between 2001 and 2006.
A new study found that colonoscopies done with suboptimal bowel preparation are associated with relatively high adenoma miss rates, indicating a decrease in colonoscopy effectiveness. The study suggests that early repeat colonoscopies may be necessary to ensure accurate detection and removal of precancerous polyps.
A study of over 1,000 patients with colon cancer found that 13% received unproven chemotherapy regimens, resulting in unnecessary side effects and costs totaling millions. The researchers emphasize the importance of evidence-based treatment for cancer patients to avoid harming them with ineffective therapies.
Researchers found that alemtuzumab is as safe and effective as basiliximab or antithymocyte globulin in preventing organ rejection after kidney transplant. The study's results suggest that the less expensive drug option could lead to cost savings without compromising patient outcomes.
A new study found that depression is a significant risk factor for poor medication adherence among patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. The researchers discovered that depressed patients had 76% greater odds of non-adherence compared to their non-depressed counterparts.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a cost-effective tool to detect cardiotoxicity, a common side effect of drugs. The webcam-based biosensor enables real-time monitoring of cardiac cells' beating rates and could accelerate the drug discovery process by identifying toxic effects early on.
Researchers found that a year of healthy life could be saved for around the price of filling up an average family car in the UK. Administering tranexamic acid within three hours of injury saves estimated 755,000 life years per 1,000 bleeding trauma patients in the UK, Tanzania, and India.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that even families with insurance face financial burdens that lead them to delay or forgo medical care. Excessive costs relative to family income and having a child with a limitation increase the likelihood of delayed care.
A lack of national pharmacare in Canada leads to inconsistent coverage and prevents people from accessing necessary medications. The country could save billions by implementing a national formulary and addressing rising drug costs.
A UK policy aims to assess drug value using factors beyond clinical and cost effectiveness, including therapeutic innovation and societal benefits. The proposed 'value-based pricing' policy could change the way drugs are offered through Britain's National Health Service.
A study finds ranolazine effective for refractory angina, but only 59% of patients remain on the medication after one year. Adherence issues, including cost and side effects, are major concerns.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that the cost of heart medications is a significant deterrent for patients with heart failure. Younger patients and women were more likely to skip or not take their prescribed drugs due to financial concerns.
A team of researchers has developed a new model that uses artificial neural networks to predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among 10,000 observations with 99.87% accuracy. The technology has the potential to save lives by identifying potential ADRs at an early stage of drug development and marketing.
A telemedicine program called Hospital VIHrtual has been shown to provide comprehensive control over HIV-infected patients in medical, pharmaceutical, psychological, and quality of life aspects. The virtual hospital allows for efficient management of stable HIV patients, reducing costs and time spent on travel and waiting for visits.
Patients presenting to emergency departments with adverse drug events have a 50% greater risk of spending additional days in hospital and a 20% higher rate of outpatient health care needs. The research team estimates that the added cost is $49 million annually.
A new adherence course significantly improves blood pressure management in patients with high blood pressure, reducing non-adherence rates and blood pressure levels.
A recent study found that gastrointestinal bleeding in non-ICU patients is rare, regardless of medication use. The authors conclude that the risks of acid suppressive agents may outweigh the benefits for average hospital inpatients.
Young, uninsured, or Medicare Part D participants face challenges affording medications after stroke, leading to increased risk of future strokes and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to screen for cost-related barriers and improve access to affordable medications for post-stroke patients.
Despite government prescription coverage, many young, uninsured, and Medicare Part D beneficiaries struggle to afford medications due to rising costs. Researchers found that nearly half of those enrolled in Medicare Part D reported difficulty affording their medications, with significantly higher rates among younger survivors.
Researchers found that treating mild strokes with clot-busting drug intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) could reduce disability and save billions in costs. The study suggests at least 2,000 fewer patients would be disabled from mild stroke each year.
Researchers analyzed hospital records from 437 patients diagnosed with mild ischemic stroke, finding that treating them with a proven clot-busting drug could reduce the number of disabled patients by 2,176-3,761 per year. This treatment approach has the potential to save an estimated $200 million annually in disability costs.
A mathematical model created by Andrew Ching shows that fewer firms enter the marketplace when drug approval times are shorter, potentially reducing prices. However, companies may experience losses due to development costs and uncertain review processes.
Researchers found that dutasteride is impractical due to high costs and marginal impact on survival and quality of life for at-risk groups. The medication's annual cost of $1,400 outweighs its benefits, making it less effective as a preventive measure.
Scientists at Hebrew University and Harvard have developed a low-cost, 'robotic' growth factor protein that speeds up wound healing. The protein responds to temperature, simplifying purification and enabling it to remain at the burn site, dramatically increasing healing rates in diabetic mice.
A systematic review found that using a generic blood pressure and heart drug, losartan, instead of branded candesartan could save the UK National Health Service (NHS) £200 million in 2011. This is based on 2009 prescribing figures for primary care alone, with potential savings even higher.
A Stanford researcher's study reveals that many rheumatoid arthritis patients are not receiving recommended disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) due to high costs and health disparities. The study found that 63% of Medicare-managed care patients received any DMARD treatment, with significant variations by income level, race, ...
A study published in CMAJ found that restricting angiotensin-receptor blockers could save Canada $77.1 million without negative effects on health. The policy would benefit from the cheaper and effective alternative, ACE inhibitors.
A nationwide trial is evaluating the real-world advantages and disadvantages of quetiapine, a widely prescribed second generation antipsychotic mood stabilizing medication, compared to lithium, the gold standard mood stabilizer. The study aims to uncover differences in risks of adverse effects, costs, and adherence to treatment.
Researchers are leveraging a 40-year-old blood test procedure to develop new lifesaving medications, utilizing modern lab instruments for greater sensitivity. The approach reduces sample requirements, storage, and shipping costs, potentially saving millions of dollars in drug development.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that many prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic medications lack strong evidence, yet these drugs can cause serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. The study also identified a significant amount of off-label use, with $6 billion spent on such prescriptions in 2008.
A new study finds that extending data exclusivity periods would result in higher drug costs in the short term but also lead to more than 200 extra drug approvals. This could potentially increase life expectancy in several decades.
Researchers at University of British Columbia develop a lipid-based formulation of Amphotericin B, stabilizing the drug in tropical temperatures and making it more accessible for treating Visceral Leishmaniasis. The new oral formulation is effective in mouse models and has the potential to bring relief to millions affected by the disease.
A recent study found that patients who started dialysis at higher levels of kidney function had an increased risk of premature death. In contrast, home-based hemodialysis was shown to be cost-effective and provide potential benefits for kidney disease patients.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an intervention strategy that improves medication adherence by three times more than previously studied techniques. The Continuous Self-Improvement strategy involves counseling patients to understand how taking medications fits into their daily routines.
Prescription abandonment can undermine medical treatment and result in increased healthcare costs. Studies estimate that 20-30% of prescriptions are not filled or picked up due to cost concerns, with physicians often unaware of patient out-of-pocket costs.
A new survey finds that physician-industry relationships are still prevalent, with most physicians maintaining such relationships. The study suggests a significant association between these relationships and the use of more expensive drugs.
A study of adolescents found that less than 2% met annual preventive care visit recommendations, highlighting the need for better access to care. Meanwhile, a survey of family physicians revealed that many refer patients elsewhere for vaccines due to inadequate payment and lack of participation in federally-funded programs.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that there is significant variation in prescription spending across hospital-referral regions in the US. Despite high spending, some areas still prescribe unnecessary medications to seniors, leading to complications and increased healthcare costs.
Chronic kidney disease patients who don't adhere to high blood pressure medications are more likely to have sub-optimal blood pressure control. Improving medication adherence can greatly improve outcomes for these patients.