Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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A new UCLA study found that physicians rarely discuss medication costs with patients, which can lead to non-adherence and increased out-of-pocket expenses. The study, published in The American Journal of Managed Care, suggests that higher-income patients are more likely to initiate discussions about costs.
Recent research published in the Lancet has shown that nursing home patients with severe Alzheimer's disease experienced significantly improved cognitive function when treated with donepezil. Additionally, data suggests that these drugs are effective in patients with milder forms of Alzheimer's disease, sparking hope for a potential re...
Two studies at ACG suggest that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who take medications as directed incur lower medical costs compared to non-compliant patients. Compliance rates were poor overall, but improved with age and education, with the elderly and younger patients scoring poorly.
The UK government needs to show vocal support for NICE to ensure equity in the country's health system. NICE's guidance on restricting Alzheimer's disease drug use is necessary due to limited funds in the tax-funded health system.
A recent Mount Sinai School of Medicine study suggests that physicians are crucial in helping low-income and uninsured seniors save money on prescription drugs. By prescribing generic versions of cardiovascular medications, doctors can significantly reduce medication costs for patients and Medicare beneficiaries.
A study found that second-generation antipsychotic medications do not offer significant benefits compared to older first-generation antipsychotic drugs for patients with schizophrenia. The findings contradict the widely held perception that second-generation agents are safer and more effective.
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience increased healthcare costs in the two years before and after diagnosis compared to those without ADHD. White children have higher expenses than other ethnicities, reflecting a possible cultural factor in treatment acceptance.
Researchers analyzed nine trials involving 693 patients and found that treatment with calcium-channel blockers or alpha blockers increased the chances of passing urinary stones by 65%, making these medications an effective alternative to surgery.
Researchers will analyze FDA database of electrocardiograms to identify early predictors of cardiac risk and develop new biomarkers for drug toxicity. The goal is to improve the safety of new drugs while reducing development costs.
A study found that physicians prescribed new medications without adequately explaining key information, including side effects and dosing instructions. Patients who receive complete instructions are more likely to adhere to treatment plans.
The survey reveals that caregivers experience devastating consequences, including relapse, hospitalization, and financial strain. Caregivers also emphasize the importance of effective medication and long-term care to maintain their loved ones' overall well-being.
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund finds that nearly nine of 10 individuals who seek individual market health insurance are unable to secure coverage due to unaffordability or pre-existing conditions. Those with high-deductible plans face significant cost burdens, including higher out-of-pocket expenses and increased medical debt.
A study published in Circulation found that the financial burden on women with chest pain and blocked coronary arteries can total more than $1 million during their lifetime. Women with nonobstructive coronary artery disease also face significant costs, including higher drug expenses.
According to a study published in Circulation, treating chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) could cost a woman more than $1 million during her lifetime. Women with nonobstructive CAD experienced higher healthcare costs due to ongoing angina symptoms.
A new study predicts that the US will spend $2.2 trillion on stroke care over the next 45 years unless preventive measures are taken. The highest costs will be for African American and Latino patients, who suffer strokes at younger ages and receive poorer-quality care.
Researchers say international patent laws and US-negotiated trade agreements are impeding access to life-saving HIV medicines, particularly in resource-poor settings. The current intellectual property law allows pharmaceutical companies to monopolize markets, making treatments unaffordable for many.
J-P Garnier, GSK CEO, emphasizes the company's commitment to providing affordable HIV drugs and vaccines for diseases affecting the developing world. He highlights GSK's efforts to introduce modern HIV drugs at lower prices and protect innovation through patents.
A new study finds that tamoxifen has little impact on mortality rates for most high-risk women, with life expectancy improving only at higher breast cancer risks. The high cost of tamoxifen further reduces its utility as a cancer prevention drug in the US.
Majority of healthcare opinion leaders support the Medicare Part D program, but favor changes to reduce complexity and improve coverage for vulnerable populations. Opinion leaders recommend policy changes such as filling the donut hole and eliminating the asset test to benefit low-income beneficiaries.
A comprehensive training plan is needed to deliver HIV medicines to patients in poor countries. The authors suggest research is required to define the best approach, including the implementation of such programs.
A randomized controlled trial found CBT to significantly improve total wake time, sleep efficiency, and slow-wave sleep compared to zopiclone. CBT-based interventions are not widely available in clinical practice, but future research should focus on implementing low-threshold treatment options.
Regier and colleagues found that patient self-management is a cost-effective strategy for patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulation. The study suggests this approach can provide similar health benefits without the added costs of physician management over a 5-year period.
A new study by Stanford Medicine researchers found that the first osteoporosis medication, teriparatide, is not cost-effective compared to alendronate. The researchers suggest that teriparatide should be given only to high-risk patients who don't tolerate standard treatments.
A study found that nearly one in seven patients who received a drug-eluting stent stopped taking their antiplatelet medication within the first 30 days, leading to a higher risk of death and hospitalization. The study highlights the importance of continued medication after stent placement for optimal outcomes.
Pharmacists are increasingly involved in collaborative care for hospitalized patients, improving medication safety and patient understanding. This expansion of their role has led to better outcomes and job satisfaction for pharmacists, as they work closely with patients, physicians, and nurses to optimize treatment.
A new Medicare plan will create a significant gap in coverage for seriously ill patients, leaving them to pay out of pocket for expensive medications. This can lead to reduced treatment options and economic implications for healthcare providers.
A national study found that 85% of prescriptions for commonly prescribed drugs were for FDA-approved indications or off-label uses with strong scientific support. However, 21% of prescriptions lacked evidence to support their use.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute determined the x-ray structure of EmrD, a multidrug transporter protein in E. coli, which could help understand its mechanism and develop new drugs. The study revealed an internal cavity composed primarily of hydrophobic residues that contribute to drug specificity.
A national study reveals that nearly 60% of older diabetics are not taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs, despite clear signs of problems. The study's findings highlight the need for improved awareness and incentives to encourage responsible prescribing and increased use of these life-saving medications.
Patients taking newer thiazolidinedione (TZD) medications had lower hospitalization rates and reduced healthcare costs compared to those on older metformin or sulfonylurea. The study found that TZDs resulted in an average annual savings of $920-$1,760.
A University of Chicago study found that daily doses of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride were as effective as montelukast sodium in relieving hay fever symptoms without additional side effects. Pseudoephedrine was slightly more effective in reducing congestion and had a lower risk of sleep problems compared to montelukast.
A new study found that taking medication for overactive bladder syndrome as prescribed can significantly reduce annual healthcare costs. The research, published in the Journal of Urology, shows that participants who took their medication properly saved around $3,700 compared to those who didn't.
A new public information campaign is launched to educate patients and doctors about the benefits of diuretics in controlling hypertension. The campaign aims to reduce serious illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure by promoting lifestyle changes and diuretic use.
The ALLHAT study found that diuretics are more beneficial than calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or alpha blockers as initial treatment to lower blood pressure. Diuretics are well-tolerated with few side effects, making them a cost-effective choice for first-line blood pressure treatment.
A study of primary-care patients found that genetic variations can affect the metabolism of common medications, potentially leading to adverse reactions. The researchers suggest that applying pharmacogenetics in primary-care practices could reduce costs by minimizing unnecessary prescriptions and hospital treatments.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist professor Curt Furberg recommends using proven methods from international countries to lower U.S. prescription drug costs, including government-established reimbursement rates and price cuts. These strategies could lead to a 30-50% reduction in expenditures.
The Medicare drug benefit is at risk of causing significant harm to vulnerable populations, including the poor, elderly, and disabled. A narrow six-week transition period to a new formulary may lead to difficulties in accessing essential medications, potentially resulting in health problems.
Minority patients, particularly African Americans, were less likely to receive inhaled steroid medications for asthma, with usage increasing only among African American patients. Children also faced barriers to access, reflecting the need for further studies on healthcare disparities.
A new study shows that shorter courses of cephalosporins are more effective than traditional antibiotics in treating strep throat, with fewer relapses and improved patient outcomes. Pediatricians recommend using these newer drugs as a first-line treatment to combat the rising rates of antibiotic resistance.
The African-American Heart Failure Trial showed that patients treated with the medication had lower health care costs, averaging $15,384 over a 12-month period. The study found that the medication was cost-effective, even when factoring in the cost of the drug itself.
The Institute for OneWorld Health has received a multimillion-dollar grant from the Gates Foundation to combat VL, a fatal disease transmitted by sand flies. The grant will support a long-term control program, including Phase 4 demonstration studies and clinical trials in children.
New research suggests that Herceptin may be cost-effective for certain sub-groups of patients with early breast cancer, but its use as adjuvant therapy could impose a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. The study estimates that the cost of providing Herceptin treatment in Belgium would be around €25.5 million per year.
Patients with severe chronic illnesses in British Columbia experienced more physician visits, fewer prescriptions filled, and increased hospital admissions during periods of cost-sharing. The study's findings suggest that the policy may be detrimental to patients' health.
Experts from Group Health Research Institute outline five principles for making informed decisions on drug coverage, prioritizing true experiments, real health outcomes, and full ranges of alternatives. These evidence-based guidelines aim to protect patients and promote cost-effectiveness.
A new report by Express Scripts, Inc. found that U.S. consumers could have saved $20 billion in 2004 by using more generic drugs, with the most dramatic savings potential existing for generic gastrointestinals and anti-cholesterol medications.
The Oct. 18 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine describes two new diabetes treatments: exenatide, an injected drug; and inhaled insulin. Exenatide improved overall sugar control, but patients experienced weight loss and more side effects compared to insulin glargine.
A Medical College of Wisconsin study reveals that up to half of childhood asthma hospitalizations can be prevented with better parent-physician communication about medication, follow-up care, and asthma triggers. The study found that medication adherence issues were a major contributor to preventable hospitalizations.
In Canada, delisting prescription drugs from public health insurance programs transfers costs to private citizens or private health insurance plans, generating cost-savings for governments. Deregulation may also benefit pharmacists by increasing over-the-counter sales and expanding their clinical role.
The CATIE study found that while newer medications have no substantial advantage over older antipsychotics, individual differences in patient response to these drugs remain crucial. Patients on olanzapine tended to stay on the medication longer but experienced increased side effects such as weight gain and metabolic changes.
A survey of 44 medications found that 43 were cheaper in Canada than in the US, with potential savings of up to 24% per dose. Second-generation antidepressants showed similar efficacy and safety compared to other options, making choosing an antidepressant difficult for patients.
A recent study reveals that managed care drug cost-control strategies are failing due to flawed contracts and inadequate information sharing between HMOs and doctors. The survey found widespread dissatisfaction with the current approach, which relies on financial incentives to control prescribing practices. The researchers propose thre...
Limiting free antiretroviral medicine access to only treatment-naïve patients puts patients at risk of adverse effects and can slow treatment enrollment. Human rights issues arise when some individuals are denied medication due to financial constraints, potentially leading to their demise.
A comprehensive tobacco cessation plan could help 33 million smokers quit, adding years of life to former smokers and reducing health care costs for all Americans. The plan, which includes free medications and counseling, is based on scientific evidence and has the potential to dramatically reduce the human and financial tolls of tobacco.
Researchers have designed new cyclic alkyl amino carbenes (CAACs) that enhance stability and efficiency of metal catalysts. These carbene-based catalysts facilitate faster chemical transformations at lower temperatures, reducing costs in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Standard clinical practice guidelines often focus on one disease and exclude coexisting conditions, leaving clinicians without guidance for caring for older patients with multiple chronic diseases. This can lead to polypharmacy, medication errors, and an unsustainable treatment burden.
A new VA / U-M study of 912 patients with diabetes reveals that the quality of doctor-patient relationships and mental health play a significant role in patients' medication use when drug costs become a burden. Nearly 30% of low-trust patients skipped medicines due to cost, while depression doubled the risk of skipping medicines.
A new clinical trial at UT Southwestern Medical Center has shown that cognitive therapy can effectively treat recurrent depression in patients. The study, which involves 16-20 sessions of cognitive therapy over 12 weeks, has been shown to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).
A study by Mayo Clinic found that 72% of discharged patients couldn't list their medications or 58% couldn't recall their diagnosis. Dr. Friedman recommends improving communication through language, practicality, and time to avoid noncompliance.
A national survey reveals that many Americans take high doses of vitamin E supplements, despite potential risks, and a study shows that test results are frequently forgotten after hospital discharge. A new study suggests that full coverage for ACE inhibitors would improve health outcomes and save Medicare money.
A new study suggests that ACE inhibitors, which reduce blood pressure and prevent diabetes-related complications, should be made available at no cost to seniors with diabetes. This could lead to increased use of the medication and significant savings for Medicare, with estimates suggesting $1,606 in lifetime savings per recipient.