Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.