Articles tagged with Drug Costs
Tariffs on Canadian pharmaceuticals could significantly impact the US drug supply and costs, with an estimated $750 million added to production costs. The study found that $3 billion in US pharmaceuticals rely on Canadian manufacturing, highlighting the potential fragility of supply chains.
New research from the University of Toronto warns that applying trade tariffs on Canadian pharmaceuticals could add $750 million in cost to the U.S. market and disrupt drug supply chains. The study highlights the potential for shortages and jeopardizes patient care, particularly for medications with no alternative supplier.
A new white paper finds that expanding access to anti-obesity medications can prevent or delay chronic disease by years, providing significant societal benefits. The study estimates a $10 trillion return on investment and 13% annual returns on investment for society.
A large majority of older Americans believe health insurance – including Medicare – should cover anti-obesity medications. Nearly 37% of respondents met the criteria for overweight and 36% for obesity. Medicare currently covers a drug used for weight management but only in people with diabetes or a history of heart attack or stroke.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health refutes claims that Medicaid expansion increases misuse of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Despite initial concerns, the study found no association between Medicaid expansion and non-prescribed opioid use among people who inject drugs.
New research from USC reveals that Medicare Part D plans are increasingly tying patient costs to list prices, leading to substantially higher out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. The study found that the share of stand-alone plans using coinsurance for preferred branded drugs grew from 9.9% in 2020 to 71.9% in 2024.
Researchers created optimized DNA hydrogels with fewer nucleic acids, achieving efficient and sustained drug release. The new hydrogel units showed prolonged persistence of at least 168 hours post-administration in mice, contributing to anti-tumor effects.
PairMap overcomes limitations of traditional methods by introducing intermediate compounds to predict binding affinities with high accuracy. The approach minimizes calculation errors, improves convergence, and reduces computational costs for complex transformations.
Researchers developed AshPhos, a ligand that facilitates the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds using inexpensive materials. The tool has potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, and degrading PFAS pollutants.
A West Virginia University legal scholar argues that current laws favor biologic drugs with longer exclusivity periods, affecting their pricing. The scholar suggests reducing exclusivity for biologics to bring them in line with small-molecule drugs, which could lower drug costs.
A new study found disparities in access to semaglutide based on insurance plan, job industry, sex, and other factors. Individuals with female identities, preferred provider organization coverage, and antidepressant use were more likely to start taking semaglutide compared to males or those with certain employment industries.
A study of 242 couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment found that men experienced higher levels of work-family conflict, while women were more affected by stress. The researchers used online questionnaires to assess the couples' emotional well-being and job performance.
A new study found that Medicare Advantage patients with colorectal cancer are six percentage points less likely to receive a cancer drug compared to those on Traditional Medicare. For non-small cell lung cancer, the pattern was not as clear due to limited low-cost treatment options.
Researchers analyzed cost-effectiveness of semaglutide for non-diabetic overweight/obese individuals with heart disease. With price reductions, semaglutide shows promise in reducing lifetime costs and improving health outcomes.
A new RAND study found that the median cost of developing a new drug is $150 million, while the mean cost is $369 million. Excluding high-cost outliers, the average cost drops to $950 million. The study suggests using median costs for policy discussions about pharmaceutical research and development.
Early detection of breast cancer can lead to less intensive treatments, saving the Canadian healthcare system $459.6M over women's lifetimes and 3,499 breast cancer deaths. Screening mammograms and diagnostics costs are easily offset by earlier stage treatment.
The network's all-new digital report boasts over $56.1 million in total cost-of-care savings, with $44.6 million in rewards shared among providers. Ochsner Health Network also expands access to care and improves health outcomes through its collaborative partnerships and technological advancements.
A Kennesaw State University professor has received a grant to analyze the relationship between access to cancer treatment and patient outcomes in Kenya. The research aims to identify cost-effective and sustainable treatment protocols that improve survival rates and address financial barriers to care.
A new study found that 5% of Canadian respondents skipped or reduced dosages due to cost-related issues. The research highlights the burden of prescription costs on vulnerable populations, including females, bisexual, and Indigenous individuals. The authors suggest that national pharmacare plans can help address these disparities.
A USC Schaeffer study found that over half of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Part D plans did not switch due to lack of plan comparisons, with many unaware of how to change plans or missing out on better coverage options. This complacency allows insurers to exploit beneficiaries' inattention and boost profits.
A recent analysis reveals significant gaps in cancer drug cost and availability between high- and low-income countries. Inequities in access to therapy, screening, and healthcare infrastructure contribute to higher cancer incidence and mortality rates in low-income countries.
Researchers found that co-payment cards can lower out-of-pocket costs for privately insured patients taking brand-name prescription drugs. Additionally, public assistance programs and direct-to-consumer pharmacies can provide affordable alternatives for uninsured individuals and those with Medicare Part D. The study suggests that clini...
The article highlights patchwork strategies for managing high prescription drug costs, but emphasizes the need for solutions that address root causes of high prices. Clinicians can use existing solutions to help patients access costly medications, but policy changes are necessary for sustainable affordable access.
Two studies found that bariatric surgery is more cost-effective in the long term compared to GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs alone. Combining both treatments is even more cost-effective. The use of GLP-1 RA before surgery appears safe and may be a novel approach to treating obesity.
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.
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.