Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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Research finds hazardous drinkers and drug users have higher rates of injuries, hypertension, and depression compared to those with less severe problems. Screening for these issues can help prevent worsening of problems and improve overall health.
A new review of 10 studies on HIV treatment programs in developing countries found that nearly 57% of patients had undetectable HIV levels one year after starting ART. Free or low-cost ART programs have been shown to improve adherence and treatment outcomes, suggesting a significant link between access and success.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that prescription drug costs have surpassed $18 billion. This significant increase underscores the importance of disseminating unbiased information to ensure patient safety and healthcare sustainability.
Researchers found that sirolimus-eluting stents significantly reduced the need for target-vessel revascularization (TVR) and cumulative incidence of death, reinfarction, stroke, or TVR compared to bare-metal stents. The STRATEGY trial showed a reduction in heart attack risk with tirofiban plus sirolimus-eluting stenting.
A recent study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reveals that many glaucoma patients fail to take their medication properly, with up to half delaying refills or missing doses. This non-adherence can lead to increased hospital admissions and lost productivity, resulting in significant economic costs worldwide.
Researchers develop new chemical reaction to simplify indole synthesis, reducing the number of steps from six to three and minimizing toxic by-products. The technique could lead to significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A study found that 19.8% of European home care elderly patients used at least one potentially inappropriate medication, with regional variations and associations with factors like polypharmacy and depression. Differences between Eastern and Western Europe highlight the need for targeted interventions.
A new study published in JAMA Network found that computerized order entry (CPOE) systems can facilitate up to 22 types of medication error risks. The researchers identified issues such as fragmented displays, pharmacy inventory mistakes, and inflexible ordering formats as contributing factors.
A new study found that pre-diabetes prevention efforts are worth every penny, with a one-on-one weight loss and exercise program showing a 58% reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk. Lifestyle interventions could delay the onset of diabetes by an average of 11 years and reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 20%.
A study found that 53.6% of patients had at least one unintended medication discrepancy upon hospital admission. The most common error was omitting a regularly used medication, with 38.6% having the potential to cause moderate to severe discomfort or clinical deterioration.
The Georgia Medicaid program implemented a prior-authorization program for anti-ulcer drugs, resulting in a net savings of $20.6 million. The program increased the use of generic histamine type-2 antagonists and decreased PPI drug expenditures by $30.9 million.
A decentralized, Web-based, community-wide effort called the Tropical Diseases Initiative (TDI) proposes an open-source approach to discovering new drugs for neglected diseases. By adopting this model, scientists from laboratories, universities, and corporations can work together to develop affordable treatments for tropical diseases s...
A partnership between OneWorld Health, University of California - Berkeley, and Amyris Biotechnologies aims to produce an inexpensive antimalarial drug using synthetic biology. The goal is to reduce the cost of treatment to under $1 per adult course, making it more accessible to millions in developing countries.
A study found that pharmaceutical sales representatives have limited influence on physician prescribing behavior, despite significant spending on detailing and free samples. Physicians rely on alternative sources of information, such as scientific papers and colleagues, which outweigh the persuasive power of sales representatives.
A study of 401 US pharmacists found that they are concerned about the safety and quality of imported prescription medications. Pharmacists generally favored regulatory actions to decrease counterfeiting and believed that US pharmacy oversight could mitigate safety risks if importation is allowed.
OneWorld Health recognized as a Business Leader of the Scientific American 50 for its groundbreaking work on affordable medicines. The institute has made significant progress in developing treatments for deadly parasitic diseases, with preliminary positive results announced for visceral leishmaniasis.
The four-year CREATE trial shows that Reviparin reduces deaths, heart attacks, and strokes by about one-sixth. Treating 1,000 patients for a week can prevent 15-20 individuals from dying or suffering a new heart attack.
Research by the American Heart Association found that overweight men spent $18.41 per month on coronary heart disease-related prescriptions, compared to $9.89 for normal-weight men. The study also showed a significant increase in costs for obese men due to various health issues such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Researchers found an average cost savings of $9 per episode among adults using OTCs to treat symptoms, leading to potential annual savings of $4.75 billion. The study also highlights the economic impact of lost productivity from missed workdays and decreased on-the-job productivity.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center reveals that functional endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improves fatigue levels in patients with sinusitis. The procedure has been shown to offer substantial benefits for those not responding to medications, with cost savings also a consideration.
A study found that one in six chronically ill adults skip medication due to cost, with those paying more out-of-pocket or having no coverage being the most likely. The researchers estimate that this skimping leads to over a million Americans using less medication and 1.6 million missing doses.
Researchers analyzed claims for over 1.2 million North Carolina Medicaid enrollees between 1998 and 2000, finding a 22.8% annual rise in prescription drug costs due to increased prescribing of six new medications. The study suggests improving cost-effective prescribing practices to control rising expenditures.
Researchers analyzed North Carolina Medicaid claims from 1998-2000 and found prescription drug coverage costs rose 22.8% annually, driven mainly by increased prescribing for six high-cost medications. Efforts to improve cost-effective prescribing are suggested to control rising expenditures.
A European study found that shorter chemotherapy courses for children with Wilms' tumour are as effective as traditional treatment, but with reduced side effects and healthcare costs. The two-year survival rate was around 90% in both groups.
A study published by Express Scripts found that pharmacy dose consolidation programs offer minimal cost savings, ranging from $0.02 to $0.03 per member per month. The program's effectiveness was limited due to the low number of prescriptions and the availability of generic or over-the-counter options.
A study of 660 chronically ill adults found that many patients with high medical expenses underuse essential medications, leading to increased emergency department visits and poorer health outcomes. Despite this, healthcare providers often fail to address medication costs, leaving patients vulnerable to financial burden.
A study finds that two-thirds of chronically ill patients cut back on prescription drugs due to cost concerns, but few inform their doctors. The researchers recommend healthcare providers take the initiative to ask patients about cost issues and educate them on necessary medications. Most patients who spoke up received help through fre...
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers suggests that patients with minimal or no disability after 10 years of multiple sclerosis (MS) are unlikely to progress and may not need medication. However, those with higher disability scores may still experience worsening symptoms over time.
A significant reduction of ADHD symptoms was observed among children participating in green outdoor activities, regardless of region or setting. Exposure to ordinary natural settings may offer a widely effective treatment for managing ADHD symptoms.
A UCLA study of 1308 seniors found that 24% reduced or discontinued medications due to out-of-pocket costs. Many struggled to pay for essential medications and rent/bills.
A study found that Medicare beneficiaries who exceeded their capped drug benefits reported using less prescribed medication, while those who did not exceed their caps did not. The researchers also found that patients were more likely to call pharmacies for price comparisons and switch medications when they exceeded their caps.
A study of 250 patients aged over 55 will examine whether prescribing GPs a supplement can help those with memory loss. Gingko may slow down dementia's degenerative process through improving blood flow and thinning the blood.
A new study led by Dr. Pierre Tariot found that quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is effective in reducing agitation in patients with dementia, with a lower risk of side effects compared to other medications. The medication has shown no serious side effects so far and offers a new therapeutic option for patients and their families.
Researchers found that countries like Canada, France, and UK offer lower drug prices as a benchmark for the US. Lowering US prices could eliminate the coverage gap, with total spending decreasing by $28 billion, according to models simulated in 2006.
A six-month study found that providing primary care to nearly 2,000 HIV-infected patients costs an average of $30 USD per visit. The breakdown includes staff salaries, laboratory tests, and medications.
Patients with knee osteoarthritis prioritize treatment characteristics, such as risk of common adverse side effects and cost, when choosing medication. Non-selective NSAIDs are the least preferred option due to their limited impact on patient preferences.
A nationwide study found that restricting medication use due to cost can lead to significant declines in self-reported health status and increased rates of depression among older adults. The study, which included over 7,900 participants, highlights the importance of access to prescription medications for older patients.
A long-term study of 8,000 seniors found that those who cut back on prescription medicines due to cost had significantly worse overall and heart-related health outcomes. The study also showed that patients with depression over age 70 were more likely to experience a worsening of their condition if they cut back on their medications.
Despite decades-long demands for a prescription drug benefit, lawmakers prioritized hospital services due to ideological conflicts and divided government. The new program faces similar economic and political challenges, with beneficiaries still facing significant out-of-pocket costs.
The new Medicare drug law creates a coverage gap, or 'donut hole,' where chronically ill patients will bear the greatest burden. Many with chronic conditions will face high out-of-pocket costs for medications, exacerbating health problems and increasing healthcare expenses.
The study found that doubling co-payments led to significant reductions in use of eight therapeutic classes, including NSAIDS, antihistamines, and antihypertensives. Patients with chronic illnesses were less likely to reduce their medication use, highlighting concerns about adverse health consequences.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that moderately depressed seniors require significantly more hours of care than those without symptoms. If caregivers were paid for their work, the annual cost would be approximately $9 billion, highlighting the impact of depression on seniors and their loved ones.
A survey of 642 physicians found that DTCA can lead to valuable discussions with patients, but also raises concerns about inappropriate prescriptions and unnecessary treatments. Physicians reported prescribing the advertised drug only 39% of the time, citing effectiveness or cost as reasons for not using it.
The new guidelines will help physicians select the correct treatment based on individual patient needs, reducing reliance on outdated data. Current insurance policies can lead to inadequate treatment due to cost containment measures, but the guidelines aim to address this issue and improve patient outcomes.
A study found that 73% of Canadian doctors can't estimate treatment costs within 25% of actual costs. They tend to underestimate expensive treatments and overestimate cheap ones, which can lead to unnecessary prescribing. The pharmaceutical industry's reluctance to provide cost information further hampers this process.
A new electronic relationship between physicians and patients will enable seamless sharing of knowledge, responsibility, and decision-making. The growth of electronic communication options offers opportunities for enhanced doctor-patient relationships, increased patient safety, and improved healthcare outcomes.
The study analyzed medication use patterns in 133,624 hypertensive patients in Pennsylvania and found that switching to evidence-based antihypertensive regimens could reduce costs by nearly a quarter. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for affordability of prescription drug benefit programs.
A new study finds that cephalosporin drugs are more effective in treating strep throat than penicillin, with a superior bacterial cure rate. First-generation cephalosporin drugs offer the same narrow-spectrum effect as penicillin at comparable costs.
Scientists found that common cholinesterase inhibitors ease behavioral symptoms like agitation and psychosis in patients with existing symptoms. The medication also delays the onset of these behaviors in patients not yet displaying them.
A new study found that only 41% of schizophrenia patients take their antipsychotic medication on a regular basis. Non-adherence is linked to higher medical costs and hospitalizations, with African-Americans and Latino patients more likely to be non-adherent than Caucasians. Living independently or being homeless are also associated wit...
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that heart attack and angina patients experience difficulties sticking to their medication regimens six months after hospitalization. Forgetfulness, carelessness, and side effects are among the top reasons for non-adherence, affecting up to half of the patients studied.
A study analyzing physician office data and pharmacy surveys found that the cost of high blood pressure therapy increased by $12 billion between 1990 and 2002. The primary contributors to this increase were higher prices for expensive ACE-inhibitors and ARBs, as well as a decline in diuretic prescriptions.
A study of 9,307 white subjects and 2,902 black subjects found that whites and blacks responded similarly about 90% of the time to common antihypertensive drugs. This challenges traditional racial treatment differences and suggests that physicians should base drug choices on individual patient factors rather than race.
Researchers Hubbard and Love propose a new system for funding drug development, separating R&D and product markets. This could lead to greater openness in drug research, reduced prices, and expanded access to new medicines.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that nearly half of patients with diabetes use multiple prescriptions, with 29% spending $100 or more per month out-of-pocket. Patients who cut back on medication use had poorer diabetes control, more symptoms, and worse functioning. The researchers recommend better access to prescription drug c...
A Thai court case ruled in favor of patients with HIV-1, increasing access to essential antiretroviral drugs. Civil society groups played a crucial role in challenging multinational pharmaceutical industry practices, leading to improved treatment outcomes and increased self-image confidence among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Experts predict a widening gap in access to nanotechnology benefits between rich and poor countries, despite its potential to improve lives in developing nations. The paper calls for an international network to assess emerging technologies and promote global public goods.
A study by Duke University researchers found that beta blocker therapy for heart failure reduces societal costs by $3,959 per patient over five years. The treatment also improves survival rates and reduces hospitalizations. However, the authors suggest that Medicare coverage of medication costs could increase benefits.
The American Medical Association highlights the growing importance of migraine prevention, which can reduce attack frequency and severity. Preventive therapy has shown dramatic results in patients transitioning from acute to combination acute and preventive therapy.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that employees treated for chronic illnesses stop taking necessary medications when benefit changes occur, particularly with substantial co-payment increases. Employers who implemented larger co-payment hikes saw higher rates of medication non-adherence and changes in medication regimens.