Articles tagged with Drug Costs
Researchers analyzed long-term cost trends of HAART drugs in Brazil, finding that while costs increased due to rising treatment needs, the country saved $1 billion through price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. The study highlights the need for increased resources to achieve universal access to AIDS treatment.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that over half of heart attack patients discontinue taking prescribed medications within three years. Smokers are more likely to stop taking all their medications in the short term, while those in cardiac rehabilitation programs tend to continue medication at a higher rate than non-participants.
A Portland researcher argues that overly restrictive intellectual property laws slow the availability of existing medications as life-saving treatments. Berger suggests that 'use' patents involving new uses for old medications need to be reformed to encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop these drugs.
A major international study found mass drug treatment for lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) to be relatively inexpensive, costing $0.06 to $2.23 per person treated. The disease affects over 1.3 billion people worldwide and can be eradicated through once-yearly mass drug administration of two drugs.
Researchers have discovered that treating two or more neglected tropical diseases simultaneously with existing oral drug treatments can be effective and efficient. The treatment approach has the potential to save millions of lives annually, particularly in Africa where nearly 500 million people are at risk for these diseases.
Researchers found that Baicalin has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reducing the severity of acute pancreatitis in rats. The study suggests that Baicalin may be an effective treatment option for SAP, offering a promising therapeutic tool with low cost and extensive routes of administration.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that over one-third of patients receiving HIV medication in Africa discontinue treatment within two years. However, the average retention rate at two years was estimated at 61.6%, indicating some success in maintaining treatment. Researchers suggest improving retention rates by starting treatmen...
The University of Illinois Chicago has established a new center to study how consumers and clinicians make critical treatment decisions about therapeutic products. The center will design and test systems to optimize drug choice, monitoring, and safety, with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes.
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology emphasizes the need for early intervention and preventive measures for mental disorders. The vast majority of people with mental disorders remain untreated, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
A Northwestern University study found nearly 50% of patients taking antihypertensive drugs can't accurately name a single medication, highlighting the need for improved medication reconciliation. Patients with low health literacy were more likely to be prescribed multiple medications and have higher blood pressure.
The new guideline recommends clinicians rely on evidence-based therapies, limit X-rays, and consider non-pharmacologic options like exercise therapy, chiropractic care, and massage. The guidelines aim to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and improve patient outcomes for low-back pain treatment.
A global review of Bug Buster Kits reveals they significantly reduce head lice infestations and alleviate social stigma. The kits are particularly effective when used by the whole school community, involving children, parents, and healthcare staff.
Most diabetes drug trials prioritize reducing blood sugar levels over patient-relevant outcomes like complication risk and quality of life. This can lead to ineffective treatments that cause more harm than good.
Middle-aged and older adults from African American and Latino backgrounds have poorer blood sugar control than their white counterparts, even when taking medications. The study identified medication adherence and emotional distress as key factors contributing to these disparities.
A systematic review of physician awareness found doctors underestimate expensive drugs' costs and overestimate inexpensive ones. Meanwhile, a policy paper reveals drug companies control research, writing, and publication of medical articles, often using medical education and communication companies to promote their interests.
Researchers developed a framework to address health-care information technology's unintended consequences, which can reduce medication errors but also produce unforeseen issues. They emphasize the need for real-time evaluations to identify and remedy these problems before they cause lasting harm.
A RAND Corporation study found that many seniors quit taking crucial medications for chronic illnesses when they reach their annual spending limits. The study suggests that drug caps may have unintended consequences, including increased hospitalizations and adverse health effects.
A new Mayo Clinic study published in Value in Health found no significant difference between abciximab and eptifibatide in hospital stay length or cardiovascular event rates. The study provides data to guide treatment decisions for heart patients undergoing angioplasty.
A £5 million investment will introduce personalized medicine treatments tailored for each patient's unique genetic make-up. The project aims to reduce drug side-effects and improve treatment efficacy.
A recent study found that diabetics who use insulin pens have significantly lower healthcare costs compared to those who use syringes. The annual average healthcare costs were nearly $17,000 lower for pen users than for syringe users, resulting in substantial savings to diabetics and their insurers.
The Lancet Editorial warns that hypertension's increasing burden will largely stem from poor lifestyles, with a staggering 90% risk of developing the condition in developed countries. Effective treatments exist, yet many patients misbelieve they can 'cure' hypertension and stop medication when their blood pressure falls.
A new study reveals that pharmacy disparities disproportionately impact elderly African-American patients with multiple medications for chronic diseases. Despite seeking a close relationship with pharmacists, many participants felt uncomfortable initiating discussions due to lack of knowledge or perceived busyness.
A three-year observational study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that a combination of strategies, including reclassifying brand-name drugs and removing non-essential medications from the formulary, resulted in significant cost savings. The plan's approach preserved members' use of medications for chronic conditi...
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, offers distinct advantages over nine other medications in controlling blood sugar levels, weight gain, and bad cholesterol levels. The medication was also found to be less expensive than newer options, with annual treatment costs averaging $100.
Researchers propose a 'value meal' approach to decrease medication costs while increasing benefits from expensive cancer drugs. By taking certain medications with meals or grapefruit juice, patients may use up to 80% of the prescribed dose and reduce side effects.
A Norwegian regulation requiring doctors to prescribe thiazides as first-line treatment for hypertension has led to substantial savings in drug costs. The study found that the proportion of patients prescribed thiazides increased from one in ten to one in four, and blood pressure goals were met by a slightly higher percentage.
A review of previous studies found that increased prescription drug cost sharing is associated with lower rates of drug treatment and worse patient adherence. For chronic conditions, higher cost sharing may lead to increased use of medical services.
Scientists, oncologists, and critics explore the use of ESAs, which can boost oxygen-carrying red blood cells and improve quality of life, but may be overprescribed due to cost and drug company influence. The debate highlights the need for fair and balanced review of data to ensure patients' needs are met.
Medical schools are adopting problem-based learning to improve personal drug selection. Students learn to choose medications based on efficacy, safety, cost, and convenience. This approach leads to better medicine use worldwide.
A new University of Michigan study shows that pill-splitting, slicing high-dose pills in half, can save Americans thousands of dollars on prescription drugs. Most participants said they would continue splitting pills if given a 50%-co-pay reduction, but some reported no issues with the practice.
Researchers found a new treatment combination that induced complete remission in 33% of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The therapy, using Bortezomid and Dexamethasone, showed high efficacy and tolerability, setting the stage for further clinical trials to reduce previous medication cycles.
A study conducted in Cambodia found that directly observed therapy significantly boosted immunity and reduced drug toxicities in HIV-infected children. The method, which involves trained childcare workers administering medication twice daily, is an effective and economical way to ensure adherence.
The new value-based payment scheme for NHS drugs aims to balance health benefits with industry profits. While it may increase overall spending, the system could incentivize companies to focus on cost-effective therapies.
A new study published at the American Thoracic Society Meeting found that bronchial thermoplasty improved pulmonary function, asthma control, and quality of life in severe asthma patients. After one year, 50% of patients were able to completely wean off oral corticosteroids, with significant improvements in medication use.
A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that pharmacist care can significantly improve medication adherence among heart-failure patients. By providing customized educational materials and regular reminders, pharmacists can help patients take their medications consistently, leading to lower health-care costs and...
Researchers from Duke University found that generic biologics are unlikely to be significantly cheaper than brand-name versions due to higher manufacturing and marketing costs. The unique characteristics of biologics make them harder to replicate, resulting in lower price competition.
The cost of treating arthritis in the US has more than doubled between 1998 and 2003 due to the increasing number of people with the disease and inflation-adjusted prescription costs. Total medical care expenditures for arthritis patients increased by $88 billion annually, with estimated incremental costs reaching $81 billion.
A new asthma inhaler propellant is safe and effective, but its higher cost will significantly impact consumers and healthcare systems. The switch from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) to hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant may lead to increased costs for patients with prescription benefit plans, as well as co-pays.
Research in Malaysia found that essential drugs are priced beyond reach of poorer members, with costs up to 16 times higher than international reference prices. The lack of affordability affects the poor and the availability of medicines is also poor, with only 25% available through public sector.
A cross-sectional study of 460 Pakistani patients found that 77% were adherent to their medications, with social and family structures playing a key role in high adherence rates. Younger age, poor awareness, and symptomatic treatment negatively affected adherence, whereas mono-therapy and psychosocial factors showed no association.
A recent study found that financial constraints hinder heart attack patients from seeking healthcare services or taking vital medications, resulting in poorer health outcomes. Patients with unaffordable medications had a 50% higher chance of being re-hospitalized for cardiac conditions.
A recent study published in JAMA found that heart attack patients with financial barriers experience poorer recovery and quality of life. Patients who avoided healthcare services or medication due to cost were more likely to have increased rates of rehospitalization and lower quality-of-life scores.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment for malaria, which showed that longer-acting drugs can prevent patients from getting sick again within six weeks. The study found that combining two drugs increased the effectiveness of treatment and reduced the risk of relapse.
A new study published in Clinical Therapeutics suggests that private health plans increasingly rely on escalating copayments to manage drug costs, making treatment more expensive for patients. This can affect adherence to treatment, particularly for psychiatric disorders.
A dataset of all published Indian patent applications and patents has been created, providing a searchable platform for stakeholders. The database aims to ensure that patent applications are thoroughly scrutinized, protecting the interests of patients in developing countries while preserving incentives for pharmaceutical R&D.
Recent IOM recommendations lack evidence to support claims of a drug safety crisis. A new editorial questions the science behind these reforms, citing a study on the benefits of reduced approval times over safety concerns.
The exclusivity of clinical trial data could jeopardize efforts to create generic versions of life-saving medicines, harming public health. Karin Timmermans warns that data exclusivity can delay generic competition and drive up prices.
A collaboration of international calculation grids analyzed nearly 80,000 potential malaria medicines per hour over 10 weeks, significantly speeding up the selection process. This approach also has implications for treating other tropical diseases and can substantially reduce the cost of developing new medicines.
The Pediatric Exclusivity Program has generated over 300 pediatric studies and labeling changes for more than 115 products. The program's economic return is highly variable among products, with blockbuster medications producing substantial profits while others yield modest returns.
Researchers developed a Bayesian network model to forecast the success of new drugs, reducing mean capitalized expenditures by an average of $283 million per successful new drug. More data sharing by the pharmaceutical industry could improve forecasting accuracy and benefit patients by eliminating unsafe investigational new drugs.
A team of University of Michigan and Harvard researchers suggests abandoning the one-size-fits-all approach to health insurance by tailoring plans to individuals' specific medical needs. This value-based insurance design (VBID) approach aims to encourage patients to use evidence-based treatments, reducing healthcare costs in the long run.
A new software program is being developed to help patients with multiple prescriptions by creating a calendar-like printout every time a prescription is filled. The goal is to reduce confusion about which pill is which and when to take medication, ultimately leading to improved patient safety and compliance.
A study found that switching patients to more affordable cholesterol and blood pressure medications saved the UK's National Health Service £26,000 annually. The switch was made without adverse events and was successful for the majority of patients.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that combining a long-acting bronchodilator with an inhaled corticosteroid reduced exacerbations by 35% in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The treatment was well-tolerated, but raised concerns about potential sys...
A new study from Michigan Medicine finds significant variation in Medicare Part D prescription drug plan costs across states, even with lowest-cost plans. Seniors may face costs differing by thousands of dollars for the same medications, and within a state, the difference can be $10,000 or more.
Rotating treatment through different types of medications can help avoid worsening symptoms in patients with restless leg syndrome, say experts. The team recommends switching treatments when symptoms appear or before augmentation occurs.
A CCFA survey reveals that 65% of ulcerative colitis patients are less than fully compliant with first-line therapies, resulting in a significant impact on their quality of life. The most common reasons for non-compliance were dosing frequency, number of pills, and medication inconvenience.
Millions of Americans have visual impairment, blindness, or eye diseases such as AMD, cataracts, and glaucoma. The estimated annual financial burden is $35.4 billion, with direct medical costs totaling $16.2 billion.
A new study has identified dihydrocodeine as an equally effective alternative to expensive methadone treatment for heroin addiction. The prescription painkiller is cheaper, safer and less toxic, with estimated annual costs of £713 compared to £1,500 for methadone.
A study found that schizophrenia patients respond equally well to older psychiatric drugs as newer, costlier alternatives. The NHS-funded trial revealed little benefit from switching to second-generation anti-psychotics despite their higher market share.