Articles tagged with Drug Costs
The European Union's decision to allow orlistat to be sold OTC may not be beneficial for the public due to its limited effect on obesity management. The drug's high cost, approximately £1.47 per day in England, adds false credibility to quick fixes, highlighting the need for long-term lifestyle changes.
A report highlights the growing trend of US healthcare consumers purchasing unapproved prescription drugs online, driven by high prices and limited access to affordable treatments. This phenomenon carries significant social and policy implications, particularly in a period of economic recession.
The Lancet Series on Trade and Health highlights the need for health professionals to engage in trade debates due to their impact on global health. The series proposes reforming trade regimes to enhance health outcomes, including compulsory licensing of essential medicines in resource-poor countries.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that insomnia-related indirect costs are significantly higher than direct treatment costs. The total annual cost of insomnia in Quebec is estimated to be $6.5 billion, with lost productivity being the largest proportion of costs.
A study found that electronic prescribing systems can increase the use of lower-cost medications, reducing healthcare spending. The system, which uses a tiered copayment structure, helps clinicians track copayment tiers across insurance plans' formularies.
A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that antipsychotic drugs do not form homogeneous classes, with individual differences in efficacy, side effects, and cost. This challenges the traditional classification of 'first-generation' and 'second-generation' antipsychotics.
The NHS must make substantial changes in administration and management structure to effectively manage top-up payments and keep accurate records of patient care. The cost of drugs is not the only cost to the NHS, as patients who purchase drugs and stay in the hospital reduce resources for all remaining patients.
A meta-analysis of studies on generic vs. brand-name cardiovascular drugs found clinical equivalence in most cases, supporting the use of FDA bioequivalence ratings as a proxy for clinical efficacy. The study suggests that physicians and patients can rely on these ratings to make informed decisions about medication substitution.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has approved erlotinib as an alternative to docetaxel for NSCLC patients, with the manufacturer Roche offering a discounted price. This approval is part of a collaboration between NICE and manufacturers to reduce drug costs within the NHS.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that a quarter of submitted drug trials remain unpublished five years later. Trials with favorable outcomes were more likely to be published, while those without favorable outcomes often had outcomes omitted or altered to favor the test drug.
A study found that overusing medications containing barbiturates or narcotics can lead to more frequent migraine attacks. The use of these medications was associated with an increased risk of transformed migraine headaches, a form of migraine characterized by 15 or more days of headache per month.
A new forecasting method predicts a significant rise in demand for anti-malarial treatments due to the loss of effectiveness of current medications. The method aims to ensure an adequate supply of effective drugs by accurately predicting future demand, particularly in Africa where malaria affects millions.
A recent Canadian study found that asthma is being over-diagnosed in 30% of adults, with two-thirds able to safely stop taking medication. The study suggests that there may be a substantial over-diagnosis of asthma, potentially obscuring the true cause of symptoms.
A new study in PLoS Medicine argues that doctors should disclose off-label prescribing to patients to ensure informed consent and shared decision-making. Off-label prescriptions, which account for half of all US prescriptions, are often not supported by sound scientific evidence and can pose serious risks to patients.
A recent study found that the cost of treating colorectal cancer can range from tens of thousands of dollars, with newer therapies often costing significantly more than older agents. This variation in costs raises questions about access to care and the value of these treatments for patients.
A study found that diabetes treatment costs increased from $6.7 billion in 2001 to $12.5 billion in 2007, driven by the rise of newer, more expensive medications. The average number of medications per patient also increased, with only 47% prescribed a single drug in 2007.
The study reveals that diabetes prescriptions increased, with more medications prescribed per patient and higher costs, from $6.7 billion in 2001 to $12.5 billion in 2007. Insulin use decreased, while the use of newer drugs like glitazones increased.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that newer, more expensive diabetes medications do not automatically translate to improved patient outcomes. The study suggests that the higher cost of these medications may be due in part to increased use and diagnosis rates, rather than actual clinical benefits.
Patients who receive written and verbal instructions on proper warfarin use are less likely to experience gastrointestinal and brain bleeding problems. Improved doctor-patient communication may also prevent a substantial number of injuries and resulting hospitalizations.
A new drug class, ranolazine, has been approved for the treatment of chronic stable angina, providing a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments. Ranolazine has been shown to reduce anginal episodes by one attack per week and extend exercise time before an angina attack develops, with benefits seen in men more than women.
A study by University of Alberta researcher Ian Colman found that individuals who receive treatment for depression and anxiety are three times less likely to experience a relapse in the next decade. The research also highlights the significant economic benefits, as the estimated annual cost of depression in Canada is $14 billion.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are investigating a triple cocktail of medicines to lower stroke risk in recovering patients. The study aims to determine if adding clopidogrel to aspirin and dipyridamole improves recovery outcomes.
Researchers found that uninsured patients were more likely to receive brand-name drugs after the clinic closed its drug sample closet, leading to increased costs. In contrast, Medicaid patients showed no significant change in generic prescribing despite the availability of free samples.
Rice University professors Ka-Yiu San and George Bennett have developed an eco-friendly bacterial process to speed up pharmaceutical production and reduce costs. The new method uses metabolically engineered E. coli cells to continually replenish the supply of NADPH, a critical cofactor in forming chiral compounds.
A new combination therapy using raltegravir has shown promising results in treating HIV, particularly in patients with highly resistant strains. The study found that 62% of patients achieved undetectable viral loads, while only 1 in 3 receiving a placebo showed similar reductions.
A world-leading political philosopher argues that international rules on intellectual property violate human rights by denying access to vital medicines. An alternative licensing system, the Health Impact Fund (HIF), is proposed to render the existing system human-rights compliant.
New research indicates that the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 has not led to significant changes in patient wait times or travel distance for chemotherapy treatment. The study found that the number of patients traveling farther for chemotherapy remained stable after 2003, with no major increases in wait times.
Researchers found a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in patients taking fish oil and red yeast rice supplements. The study suggests a comprehensive approach to lipid lowering could be effective for patients unwilling or unable to take statins.
Two studies published in Health Affairs found that consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) participants are more likely to discontinue medications for serious chronic conditions. Researchers warn that this behavior may lead to higher healthcare costs and poor health outcomes.
A new study found that up to 90% of people with asthma use their inhalers incorrectly, leading to poor control and increased healthcare costs. Pharmacists who received training on correct inhaler technique and provided personalized stickers for patients showed significant improvements in asthma severity and patient behavior.
People with epilepsy who fail to take their medication regularly are three times more likely to die compared to those who adhere to treatment. Hospital visits and emergency room visits also increase during periods of non-compliance, highlighting the importance of consistent medication adherence.
New research from Brandeis University finds that multi-tiered formularies requiring higher copayments for non-preferred medications reduce the use of antidepressants. The study, which analyzed data from a large nonprofit managed care organization, found that out-of-pocket spending increased while health plan spending per user decreased.
A new technology developed by University of Leeds engineers can monitor crystals as they form in drug manufacture, providing a method to ensure production of desired drug compounds. This can lead to huge delays and costly challenges for drug companies, but the technology has enormous commercial potential.
Researchers examine the impact of disease mongering on public discourse and its implications for healthcare policy. They argue that lax regulations risk exacerbating the problem, wasting valuable resources.
The US FDA has seen an 800% increase in new counterfeit cases between 2000 and 2006. Antimalarials are a particular target for counterfeiters, flooding the market in many Asian countries. Collaborative approaches involving governments, industries, and international organizations can help combat counterfeiting.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry estimates that major mental disorders result in significant losses of human productivity, with individuals with serious mental illness earning approximately $22,545 per year. The total economic burden is attributed to lost earnings and increased likelihood of unemployment.
The American College of Physicians issues guideline for screening osteoporosis in men over 65, emphasizing regular assessments with DEXA scans. A study finds little difference in fracture prevention between osteoporosis drugs risedronate, raloxifene, and alendronate.
Two studies found that Medicare Part D implementation led to small but significant decreases in cost-related medication nonadherence and spending less on basic needs, particularly among lower-income beneficiaries. However, knowledge gaps about Part D benefit structures limited beneficiaries' ability to manage medication costs.
A recent study examining the effect of Medicare Part D on financial hardship found that sickest patients are still skipping medications due to cost. Despite improvements in basic necessity cutting, medication adherence remains a concern for chronically ill individuals.
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that Medicare Part D beneficiaries who are unaware of their coverage gap tend to report higher costs and reduced ability to manage their medication needs. In contrast, those with better knowledge of their benefits were more likely to switch to less expensive medications.
A study found that testosterone spray increased frequency of sexually satisfying events in premenopausal women, but the effect was only significant for the middle dose. Conventional treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and sex therapy are recommended over hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers have developed a fast method to detect fake Tamiflu using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS), which can analyze samples in under one minute. This new approach is crucial in the fight against counterfeit drugs, with potential applications for large-scale screening during pandemics.
A new study found that restrictive drug policies in Maine's Medicaid program led to a 29% increase in medication discontinuation among patients with schizophrenia. The policy, which required prior authorization for new medications, disrupted essential treatment and resulted in minimal cost savings.
A study found that relaxation response training significantly improved treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in elderly patients. The approach reduced the need for medication and cut healthcare costs by billions of dollars. By eliciting the relaxation response, participants experienced a significant drop in systolic blood pressure.
Despite increased life expectancy, Americans aged 65+ face disparities in health status, economic security, and education. Key findings include a widening gap in median net worth between white and black households, as well as lower life expectancies compared to other industrialized countries.
A recent study published in Medical Care found that patients who receive free drug samples have significantly higher out-of-pocket prescription costs than those who don't. The study analyzed data from over 5,700 patients and found that patients receiving samples spent an estimated $244 for a six-month period.
A recent study analyzing 5.47 million patient records in Catalonia found that prescription costs increase dramatically after age 65, with women being 23% more likely to be prescribed drugs. The average cost of prescriptions for patients over 65 is six-and-a-half times higher than those under 65.
Researchers have designed a sensor necklace called MagneTrace that records the exact time and date when specially-designed pills are swallowed, helping to increase drug compliance and reduce unnecessary healthcare costs. The device can notify both the patient and their doctor if prescribed dosage is not taken at the proper time.
A combination therapy of Prostacyclin, Sildenafil, and Bosentan improved a young male patient with severe portopulmonary hypertension, allowing him to undergo liver transplantation. The therapy was also used post-transplant to maintain his health.
A new study reveals that families of children with autism often experience substantial financial burdens, including high therapy costs and reduced lifestyle choices. Financial planners can help direct families to available resources and encourage smart spending decisions to mitigate these effects.
A home-based antiretroviral treatment programme significantly reduced HIV-related mortality and orphanhood in Uganda. The study found that daily ART and co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, with limited clinic visits and trained lay providers, resulted in a 95% reduction in mortality among adults with HIV.
A new study reveals that rheumatoid arthritis results in significant economic impact due to early retirement, with up to two-thirds of costs outside the healthcare sector. Patient access to disease-modifying biologic drugs is limited, particularly in Western Europe.
Researchers propose a new pricing plan where consumers pay an annual fee for medication access, potentially increasing patient compliance and reducing long-term health problems. The system could reduce periods of medication skipping due to cost, benefiting patients with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or asthma.
The use of medications in psychoanalysis is a topic of debate among professionals, with some advocating for cautious approach while others see its potential benefits. The American Psychoanalytic Association hosts a panel discussion to explore the uses of medications in analysis.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that while US residents have the highest out-of-pocket drug costs, they are less likely to take their medications compared to patients in other countries. High costs are only a partial reason for non-adherence, with policy factors also playing a role.
A study published in SLEEP finds that zolpidem extended-release improved sleep onset and maintenance, as well as concentration and morning sleepiness in people with chronic primary insomnia. The medication showed sustained benefits over six months, with no evidence of rebound insomnia upon drug discontinuation.
The management of glaucoma costs the US healthcare system approximately $2.5 billion per year, with glaucoma medications accounting for 38-52% of direct costs. Non-selective ß-blockers remain the most inexpensive class of glaucoma medications, while brand-name ß-blockers are consistently more expensive than their generic counterparts.
A multidrug regimen targeting high-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease could avert 17.9 million deaths globally, representing one-fifth of chronic disease-related deaths. The strategy would require an average yearly cost of $1.08 across 23 countries, with lower costs in low-income settings.
A new study predicts a 10-fold increase in ADHD prescription costs for the NHS, rising from £7m to £49-101m by 2012. The research modelled various scenarios and considered factors such as drug availability, diagnosis rates, and treatment levels.
A study found that Brazil's strategy of negotiating AIDS drug prices with multinational companies and producing generic drugs locally saved the country approximately $1 billion between 2001 and 2005. However, recent years have seen a significant rise in total AIDS drug costs, driven by increasing treatment numbers and longer life expec...