Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
A recent study in PLoS Medicine reveals that doctors' interactions with drug companies continue to influence prescribing practices, affecting quality and cost of care. The research suggests that these relationships can compromise the autonomy of medical professionals.
A study published in Health Affairs found that eliminating copayments for diabetes and vascular disease patients stabilized statin adherence rates, with a 2.8% increase in the Pitney Bowes group compared to a control group. Similarly, lower copayments for clopidogrel prescription led to an immediate stabilizing of adherence rates.
A newly approved drug, dabigatran, has been found to be a cost-effective alternative to warfarin for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. The analysis suggests that high-dose dabigatran yields an additional 0.56 quality-adjusted-life-year compared to conventional therapy with warfarin.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the Medicare Part D program's payment system creates perverse incentives for insurance companies to raise premiums in the low-income market. This results in millions of patients being reassigned to different drug plans, causing them financial and logistical hardship.
A systematic review found associations between exposure to pharmaceutical company information and higher prescribing frequency, costs, and lower quality prescribing. However, the authors did not find evidence of net improvements in prescribing behavior.
A recent study found nearly 50% of pharmacies in Zambia do not carry antiepileptic drugs, hindering efforts to treat the condition. The lack of affordable treatment options is attributed to cost, regulatory issues, and logistics challenges.
The use of bespoke drugs in primary care is associated with high costs, lack of transparency, and legal pitfalls. The review calls for a major overhaul to reduce unnecessary prescribing and improve patient safety.
A recent study found that 42% of underinsured children's health suffered due to unaffordable care. Children with private insurance were twice as likely to be underinsured than those with public insurance.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine found no significant difference in visual acuity or anatomic outcomes between patients treated with Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for age-related macular degeneration. Patients receiving Avastin underwent more frequent injections, but the results showed similar improvem...
A study found that up to 86% of people in low- and middle-income countries would be pushed into poverty if they purchased life-saving medicines. Generic versions of these medicines are generally more affordable than originator brand products.
Quebec's lead on publicly funding smoking cessation pharmacotherapies could benefit all Canadians, with a potential gain of 1.9 million life-years. Full financial reimbursement significantly improves abstinence rates and extends the lifespan of former smokers.
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery showed significant reduction in diabetes medication use, with over 80% eliminating medications one year post-surgery. The study suggests that bariatric surgery may lead to improved glucose control and lower healthcare costs for obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Despite high burden of disease, many cancers are preventable or treatable with generic drugs, education, and training. Initiatives like vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B virus can significantly impact cancer mortality. GTF.CCC aims to support existing initiatives and improve health systems in LMICs.
A new study found that expensive brand-name medications for high blood pressure are no better than generic diuretics in preventing cardiovascular disease. The ALLHAT trial, which followed patients with high blood pressure for eight to 13 years, showed that the diuretic was superior in two measures: stroke death rate and hospitalization...
A study found that improved Medicare Part D coverage led to an increase in antibiotic use among older adults, especially for broader-spectrum antibiotics. This suggests that reimbursement may play a role in addressing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and use.
The UK government's £50 million emergency cancer fund is under fire for its potential to favor patients based on geographical location rather than medical need. The Lancet Editorial argues that this policy undermines the principles of evidence-based medicine and rational healthcare resource allocation.
The International AIDS Conference promotes novel treatment methods, antiretroviral-based prevention options and the development of a cure. Key findings include the potential use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent infections and the need for universal access to lifesaving treatment.
A panel of experts recommends translating laboratory findings into medicines that can benefit the aging population, with a focus on regenerative therapies and lifestyle improvements.