Articles tagged with Drug Costs
A new study suggests that introducing a smaller vial size for the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could reduce waste by 74% and save Medicare up to $336 million per year. This is due to the high amount of unused medication being discarded, with each patient often receiving a dose lower than the available vial sizes.
Removing protected class regulation from Medicare Part D policies could reduce US prescription drug spending, potentially saving $47 billion between 2011-2019. The study found that rebates for protected classes of drugs grew at a slower pace than non-protected classes.
A study published in Surgical Endoscopy found that the cost of taking popular anti-obesity medications like Saxenda or Wegovy exceeds that of metabolic and bariatric surgery in less than a year. Bariatric surgery offers more permanent and rapid weight loss, with significant long-term cost savings.
A new study found that up to 10 million people in the US could qualify for Medicare-covered semaglutide injections, depending on their level of cardiovascular risk. Those with higher risk scores would be eligible for full or partial coverage, potentially expanding access to this life-saving medication.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that the Inflation Reduction Act's limit on Medicare Part D spending leads to significant savings for cancer patients prescribed oral chemotherapy. The average annual cost for these medications decreased from $11,284 in 2023 to $3,927 in 2024, resulting in median cost savings of $7,260.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that the Colorado insulin price cap law resulted in a 40% reduction in out-of-pocket costs for insulin prescriptions. The law, which caps monthly costs at $100 for state-regulated health insurance plans, had the largest impact on children and adults aged 18-34, as well as rural patients.
A new framework from a global team of scientists aims to overcome translational hurdles in nanomedicine development. The DELIVER guidelines provide early-stage recommendations for maximizing clinical translation and enabling the successful development of new nanomedicine treatments.
A new study estimates that 1 in 7 Medicare beneficiaries with elevated body mass index (BMI) may qualify for semaglutide, a popular weight loss medication. The study found that maximum annual costs to Medicare could exceed $10 billion if different definitions of cardiovascular risk are considered.
A new study shows that healthcare costs, including medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care, are among the top health-related concerns of older adults heading into the US election. Financial scams and fraud also made the top six concerns, with significant differences among age, gender, and political ideology.
A study found that state-level insulin cost caps do not significantly increase insulin claims for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Most commercial enrollees were already paying out-of-pocket costs below the mandated caps.
A new study found that two Medicaid policies can interact to increase oncology clinical trial enrollment among Black and Hispanic patients. Medicaid expansion under the ACA alone did not improve diversity, but states with pre-existing mandates requiring coverage of clinical trial costs saw a significant increase.
A cohort study found increased patient coinsurance in Medicare Part D's coverage gap and catastrophic coverage phases at age 65, associated with higher spending on T2D medications. This may lead to reduced diabetes medication utilization, increasing the risk of nonadherence and complications.
Researchers isolated three bacterial strains that produce amylase enzymes from sugar factory waste, showing great potential for production. The optimal conditions for amylase production were found to be 37°C and pH 7.0, leading to increased enzyme activity.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights the benefits of palliative care in managing symptoms and improving quality of life for people with cardiovascular disease. Palliative care complements standard cardiovascular care by reducing physical symptoms, emotional distress, and assisting patients in making decision...
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that nearly half of long-term antidepressant users can successfully taper off their medication with the help of general practitioner support and internet or telephone helplines. The study found lower rates of depression, fewer withdrawal symptoms, and improved mental wellbeing among...
A new study by Michigan Medicine University found that nearly all patients with buprenorphine prescriptions filled them, even when paying more out-of-pocket. The researchers suggest removing barriers to continuous prescribing as the main focus of efforts.
A study published in JAMA found that high out-of-pocket costs are a significant barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions. The study, which utilized data from a national pharmacy transactions database, estimated that a $10 increase in cost would decrease the rate of filling prescriptions by about 2-3 percentage points.
Research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs are highly effective for weight management and Type 2 diabetes treatment, but they come with complex considerations such as dosages, side effects, and comparisons between specific drugs. Experts caution against overusing these drugs or viewing them as a universal cure-all for obesity.
A new study found that India's Drug Price Control Order in 2013 led to a shift in pharmaceutical firms' marketing efforts, disproportionately affecting prescriptions issued by less formally educated physicians. Sales volumes of regulated drugs declined, while those for unregulated but related drugs increased.
Researchers found a slight increase in utilization of oral oncology drugs but no significant change in expenditures. The study also showed that integration did not improve medication adherence or reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite this, the shift towards oral cancer therapies may lead to changes in physician revenue.
Researchers found a 46% increase in shingles vaccinations covered by Medicare Part D after the IRA policy removed patient out-of-pocket costs. This increase contrasts with a 21% drop in private insurance coverage, highlighting the impact of cost elimination on vaccine uptake.
Researchers discuss the benefits of CAR-T therapy in treating B-cell lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children. The therapy, tisagenlecleucel, has shown promising results and is now priced at $508,250, a more manageable cost compared to other gene therapies.
A new poll suggests health-related costs are a major concern for older Americans of all backgrounds, with five out of six very concerning issues involving health costs. Nearly half say they're very concerned about the cost of prescription medications, while nearly half also express concerns about dental care.
A report in Urology Practice compares four online tools to reduce prescription drug costs for patients with common urologic conditions, including Medicare Part D Plan Finder and Mark Cuban CostPlus Drug Company. The analysis highlights the benefits of using these tools, such as affordable pricing and convenient refill options.
The American College of Physicians recommends adding SGLT-2 and GLP-1 agonists to metformin in adults with Type 2 diabetes for improved cardiovascular outcomes. The guidelines prioritize shared decision-making, considering individual patient characteristics and values.
A new study shows that a massive effort to reduce the overuse of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) led to a nearly 30% reduction in prescriptions, but also resulted in some veterans missing out on protective use. The intervention, which imposed limits on PPI prescription size and refills, was carried out in one region of the Veterans Healt...
A new American Heart Association Scientific Statement highlights the importance of patient-centered care in cardiovascular health, combining expert knowledge with consideration of patients' beliefs, preferences, and values. The statement provides practical guidance on incorporating person-centered care into routine clinical practice.
US pharmaceutical spending surged to $473.12 billion from 2011 to 2020, with diabetic medications accounting for a significant increase. The study found that antidiabetic agents were the most expensive therapeutic area, with Medicare and Medicaid contributing significantly to the costs.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing supply chain issues, leading to increased drug shortages in the US. Clinically valuable drugs at greatest shortage risk need prioritization to protect future supplies.
A new study found that extending Medicaid eligibility for birthing people increases treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder by 20.5 percentage points, compared to those with commercial insurance. Retaining postpartum Medicaid coverage also significantly lowers patients' out-of-pocket spending for mental healthcare.
A new study found that biosimilar competition does not consistently lower out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients, emphasizing the importance of targeted policy actions. The findings suggest a need to improve affordability for patients in need of biologics.
Researchers at WVU are developing an AI tool to reduce medication errors that lead to hospital readmissions, aiming to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare costs. The tool will analyze patient records and identify high-risk patients, alerting pharmacists to potential issues.
A study published in Genome Medicine uses digital twins to computationally treat thousands of medications in individual patients with autoimmune diseases, finding promising results in mice and human tissue samples. The technology has the potential to revolutionize precision medicine by providing tailored medication for each patient.
Recent medications for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss have positive effects on cardiovascular and kidney health but are not always prescribed or accessible to those who need them. The studies highlight the need to address barriers to access and equity, particularly among Black adults with severe obesity.
According to a new study published in JAMA, at least 1 in 5 US state Medicaid programs cover one or more anti-obesity medications. The high cost of these medications has raised concerns about affordability, but the trend shows an increase in recent years.
A new study found that many newly approved EU oncology drugs lack proof of added benefit, with over half recovering R&D costs within three years. This challenges the industry's claim that high drug prices are necessary to offset R&D expenses.
The American Gastroenterological Association has proposed a 12-point plan to enhance IBD care in the US, focusing on insurer-mandated barriers such as prior authorization and step therapy. The plan aims to improve treatment access and quality for over three million Americans living with IBD.
A new study suggests that Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) may offer significant savings for patients taking common urology medications, with the greatest potential to reduce costs being for solifenacin and oxybutynin. The online pharmacy's standardized pricing can reduce out-of-pocket costs by up to $20 per prescription.
A new study reveals that utilization of PCSK9 inhibitors is low among high-risk patients, despite extensive evidence documenting their role in LDL-C reduction and the prevention of heart attacks. The study found that insurance coverage rejection or abandonment leads to significantly more cardiovascular events within 12 months.
A new study found that reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes can lead to improved health outcomes, particularly among those living in lower-income areas. The study showed a 10.2% decrease in preventable diabetes complications among PDL members from lower-income areas compared to the control group.
Researchers propose a novel augmentation regimen, IPIAD, combining five generic non-oncology drugs with standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The IPIAD regimen uses repurposed drugs like irbesartan and azithromycin to potentially slow disease growth and improve outcomes.
New findings from a study on ketamine's efficacy in treating severe depression reveal that 52% of participants achieved remission after just three infusions. The study also found that half of those who had thought often of suicide before receiving ketamine experienced a dramatic drop in suicidal impulses.
A new study found that phenylephrine is the most popular nasal decongestant despite lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Removal from the market could disrupt supply chains and require significant investment in infrastructure for over-the-counter drug review.
A new study found that healthcare provider perceptions of patient preferences are the biggest barrier to prescribing oral rehydration salts (ORS), which costs only a few cents. Patients expressing a preference for ORS increased prescribing by 27 percentage points, making it an effective intervention.
A new RAND report finds that most new prescription drugs are sold first in the US before reaching other countries, but become widely available globally within about a year. The study's findings have implications for efforts to reduce high prescription costs in the US.
A study by Christina Andrews and her team found substantial variation in prior authorization use among different states and plan types. For-profit plans and those located in Republican-majority states were more likely to impose prior authorization policies, restricting access to life-saving treatment buprenorphine.
A new poll found that only 7.5% of people between 50-80 have used at least one direct-to-consumer health care service, with most receiving prescriptions for a one-time treatment. Many users didn't inform their regular providers about the prescriptions.
A recent study reveals that two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born in areas scoring high or very high on the scale of social vulnerability. This highlights the need for targeted efforts to support families affected by this genetic blood disease.
A recent review of opioid medicines for cancer pain found surprisingly large gaps in evidence regarding their true benefits. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be at least as effective as some opioids for background cancer pain, offering potential alternatives to reduce dependence and waning analgesia over time.
A study by the University of Sydney and University of Warwick found large gaps in evidence regarding opioid medicines for cancer pain. Non-opioid medicines, including aspirin, may be as effective as opioids for background cancer pain.
A new poll found that 83% of older adults believe health insurers should cover medications to help people with obesity manage their weight. Nearly as many, 76%, also believe Medicare should cover these drugs, which are currently not covered under law.
A Northwestern University study found that nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue or change their medication within a year, highlighting the need for better understanding of barriers to treatment adherence. The high discontinuation rate for GLP-1 RAs may be due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and found that some private insurers were reimbursing pharmacies at much higher rates than what they spent to acquire generic drugs. This can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors due to copayments and deductibles.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that individuals with higher wealth levels had greater hospital care and medication costs before diagnosis. However, after diagnosis, wealth was associated with lower healthcare costs due to differences in comorbidities among different wealth groups.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University is developing a low-cost, safe, and controlled cancer treatment using programmable bacteria. The $20 million project aims to create an efficient bacterial therapeutic that can target cancer cells with high precision, reducing side effects and costs.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that about 1 in 10 prescription drugs has a manufacturer-sponsored patient support program. These programs offer financial, nursing, and educational supports to patients, primarily for expensive and rare disease drugs.
Researchers develop method to produce valuable chemicals at lower cost, using ozone and copper catalyst. This breakthrough could make cancer treatment more affordable, with prices potentially reduced from thousands to just a few dollars.
The PhRMA Foundation awarded two $500,000 Frontier Awards to researchers William Padula and Surachat Ngorsuraches for their patient-centered value assessment models. Their studies will advance the field of value assessment by applying theoretical models in a real-world context and engaging with patients to ensure their voices are inclu...
Researchers at Stanford Medicine found that nurse practitioners are no more likely than primary care physicians to inappropriately prescribe drugs to older patients. The study analyzed over 73,000 providers and found a similar rate of inappropriate prescribing among both groups.
A study by Jessica Ho found that Americans born in 2019 can expect to spend 48% and 60% of their lives taking prescription drugs, respectively. The majority of men start taking medication at age 40, while women begin at age 15.