Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
A study found that patients initially treated with voriconazole had better outcomes and incurred fewer antifungal drug costs than those treated initially with amphotericin B. The results showed a 53% success rate for voriconazole-treated patients compared to 32% for amphotericin B.
A collaborative study between UGA and MCG investigated the cognitive effects of long-term use of newer schizophrenia drugs. The researchers found that while atypical antipsychotics cause fewer problems with movement disorders, their long-term impact on cognitive function is still unclear.
A comparative cross-sectional survey found an unsavoury link between DTCA and the number of prescriptions. The authors warn that unregulated advertising could lead to increased drug sales and costs for the medicare program. Canadian Medical Association Journal editors highlight the need for strengthened regulation.
A study found that physicians often fail to discuss out-of-pocket costs with patients, leading to financial burden and skipped medication. Discussing costs can make a difference, enabling physicians to seek less expensive alternatives.
Many low-income Medicare beneficiaries will struggle with high drug costs despite new proposals in Congress. Beneficiaries living on $10,000-$20,000 annually face significant financial hardship due to limited coverage and increased out-of-pocket expenses.
A study by University of Minnesota and Fairview Health Services validates collaborative care approach between pharmacists and physicians to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists resolve an average of 2.3 drug therapy problems per patient, increasing desired effects from 74% to 89%.
Researchers propose alternative testing methods, such as heat-denatured p24 antigen tests and flow cytometric quantitation of CD4 T-cells, to measure progress in the war against HIV/AIDS. These affordable alternatives provide an indication of treatment response and help public health officials assess the effectiveness of their efforts.
A study found that HIV treatment costs increased significantly between 1995 and 2001, driven by the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Despite this, overall medical care costs remained relatively stable during the same period.
A structured stop-and-start drug regimen could extend care to more patients in resource-poor countries while reducing HIV drug toxicity. However, the high cost of drugs needed for the study poses a significant challenge to its success.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that patients experience more improvement in quality of life when taking more expensive pharmaceuticals, regardless of the ailment. The study suggests that government interference with market prices may reduce long-term drug development and potentially lead to fewer quality drugs.
Private Medicare+Choice plans experience instability, with low participation rates and high turnover among physicians and hospitals. The complex choice of benefits and cost-sharing makes it difficult for beneficiaries to make informed decisions.
Researchers investigate how income, race, and Medicaid regulations affect kidney transplant outcomes for low-income individuals. The study aims to provide guidance for policymakers on immunosuppression coverage duration.
Rensselaer researchers develop a new biocatalysis lab-on-a-slide technique to screen for NADPH oxidase inhibitors, potentially leading to effective therapies for cardiovascular disease. The method allows for faster and more cost-effective discovery of new drugs.
A study of six employers found that employees cost $3,524 a year in average healthcare costs due to physical health conditions. Heart disease was the most expensive condition at $236 per employee, followed by high blood pressure at $160 per employee.
A new study by U-M researchers found that the common cold leads to significant economic impact, with Americans spending over $2.9 billion on over-the-counter drugs and nearly $1.1 billion on antibiotic prescriptions for symptomatic relief. The total economic cost of cold-related work loss exceeds $20 billion annually.
A recent Ohio State University study found that computerizing physician orders reduced medication turn-around times by 64 percent, X-ray procedures by 43 percent, and lab tests by 25 percent. This led to improved work flow, efficiency, and accuracy in patient care.
The World Trade Organisation serves the interests of pharmaceutical companies and wealthy countries, hindering efforts to make affordable medicines available in poor countries. A proposed global deal aimed at increasing access to generic drugs has been rejected due to US opposition, prompting calls for a re-evaluation of the issue.
Research found that mail reminders significantly improved adherence rates among patients taking antidepressants, particularly those on SSRIs. The study suggests that the $30,000 spent on this intervention could be cost-effective compared to the estimated cost of lost productivity in depressed workers.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal investigation found that a massive heroin seizure had no impact on drug prices or overdose rates. Heroin prices actually decreased after the shipment was intercepted, raising questions about the effectiveness of supply-side interventions in controlling Canada's illicit drug epidemic.
A study of Medicare prescription benefit plans found that higher copayments reduce the use of brand-name drugs and lower overall plan costs, but also increase enrollee out-of-pocket expenses. The research suggests that combining cost-sharing strategies with other cost-containment mechanisms can help balance these competing effects.
The pharmaceutical industry's focus on high-income markets is hindering access to essential drugs in less-developed countries, where millions lack access to life-saving medications. Voluntary licensing arrangements and freer trade could improve access to patented drugs, according to experts.
A new combination therapy of photodynamic therapy and triamcinolone injection significantly improves visual acuity in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. The treatment requires fewer retreatments compared to existing therapies, including Visudyne, and reduces costs.
A recent study by the American College of Gastroenterology found that surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not eliminate the need for acid-reducing therapy. Despite lower medication costs in surgically managed patients, overall medical costs were higher due to surgery costs.
A recent study by Penn State found that disabled seniors formerly on SSDI spend significantly more on prescription drugs than the rest of the Medicare population. The study discovered that nearly half of these seniors spent 10% or more of their income on medication, highlighting a pressing concern for this vulnerable population.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have confirmed that pill-splitting can be a safe and viable cost-saving strategy for certain medications. By splitting higher-strength pills to achieve desired dosages, patients can reduce medication costs by up to 50%. However, the practice must be implemented with careful controls and...
A recent survey by Drew Blendon reveals that healthcare costs, inadequate insurance coverage, and the cost of drugs remain major health care concerns for Americans. Meanwhile, terrorism, homeland defense, and the economy are considered more pressing issues by voters.
Zhang has discovered ways to use small catalysts to assemble chiral molecules, accelerating drug discovery and lowering prices. This method is crucial for AIDS drugs, particularly protease inhibitors, which generated $147 billion last year.
Researchers created antibodies that recognize and attach to cancer-fighting drug molecules, separating them from unwanted compounds. The 'smart membrane' technology could replace expensive chromatography methods, promising faster and more efficient drug production within five to 10 years.
Spending on prescription drugs grew by 16.9% in 2001, with 56.8% of the increase attributed to higher prices and use of more expensive medications. The average wholesale price rose by $85.42 to $592.05. In contrast, the company forecasts a 15.9% annual spending growth rate for 2002, driven by new generics and moderation in utilization.
A study found that patients who had one-on-one discussions with pharmacists reported using less medication and having fewer medication-related problems. The sessions helped increase communication between patients and their physicians, leading to improved health outcomes.
A study found that cognitive therapy was as effective as medication in treating severe depression, with a lower cost. Cognitive therapy showed a long-term cost benefit and offered enduring protection comparable to ongoing medication.
The LODO study investigates whether low-dose theophylline can improve asthma symptoms and reduce airway inflammation. The therapy may also be more affordable, costing as little as one-fifth of popular asthma medications.
Research found that fluticasone propionate, an inhaled corticosteroid, was the most effective treatment for asthma, reducing hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and need for additional medication. The study showed a nearly two to three times lower cost compared to other treatments, making it a more affordable option.
Researchers found that reducing medication costs by 40% can add up to 90 years of life for heart patients over 75. Lowering prices from average wholesale price (AWP) to 20% below AWP extends life by 63 years, compared to only 48 years at AWP.
Researchers found that dedicated stroke teams can improve treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) without increasing hospital costs. The use of tPA increased by 2.1 times in the year with a specialized team compared to the year without one.
The Choice Plus plan, a direct contracting health plan, contains costs and maintains quality of care. The study found that hospital care costs dropped, while ambulatory care rose slightly.
A study found that only 24% of antibiotics prescribed for women's urinary tract infections are the recommended drug, down from 48% in 1990. The alternative medications are no more effective and cost 11-40 times as much. This trend appears to result from non-clinical forces such as pharmaceutical promotions and sub-specialty culture.
The new method reduces drop size using a three-stage cycle, resulting in smaller drops with improved printing quality and reduced material consumption. The technique has potential applications in pharmaceutical research, genomics studies, and other fields where precise liquid deposition is crucial.
A study found that seniors with limited insurance are more likely to restrict their prescription medication use. The practice was common among minority groups, the poor, and those with high out-of-pocket drug costs. This can lead to increased emergency department visits, nursing home admissions, and other health problems.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that palivizumab adherence is key to keeping babies virus-free. Among the surveyed families, those with higher perceptions of protection from palivizumab were more likely to adhere to the monthly dosing schedule. Conversely, children whose families had difficulty accessing healt...
The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is studying the effects of lifestyle interventions such as stretching, breathing exercises, and yoga on managing asthma symptoms. Asthma affects approximately 12 million American adults, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
The center investigates factors that predispose elderly patients to hospitalizations due to medication errors, as well as sociological and organizational causes of medication errors among physicians. Its research focuses on reducing internal bleeding and kidney failure caused by medication errors.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that generic drugs have stabilized at about 40% of prescriptions, despite growing market share. The team suggests therapeutic interchange as a viable solution to balance cost-cutting with effective medication.
A study found that US direct-to-consumer ads often use emotional appeals and vague descriptions of medication benefits, rather than providing quantitative data. This lack of transparency may lead to unrealistic expectations and increased demand for costly prescription drugs.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that premenopausal women using inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma experience accelerated bone loss in the hip compared to those not using the medication. The study suggests a potential long-term risk of hip fractures for these women.
Healthcare costs increased 7.2% in 2000, with hospital spending accounting for nearly half of the overall increase. Prescription drug spending slowed to 14.5%, while physician services saw a 4.8% increase.
A recent study published in Psychiatric Services found that expenditures on antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics increased significantly between 1992 and 1998. The researchers highlighted the need for drug benefit coverage to ensure accessibility and affordability for individuals with low incomes.
A new benefit-based copay system calculates individualized copays based on clinical benefits and risk groups, aiming to increase adherence and reduce financial barriers. The approach could lead to lower copays for sickest patients and make prescription drug coverage more accessible.
A study found that switching from a brand-name to a generic epilepsy medication, such as phenytoin, can lead to toxic side effects or loss of seizure control. The variation in the generic formulation can result in a significant decrease in the drug's effectiveness.
A recent study published in Clinical Therapeutics found that reminder programs may not improve medication adherence among patients taking pravastatin. Patients who complied with their medication regimen were more likely to adopt other coronary risk-reducing behaviors, such as regular exercise and better eating habits.
Researchers used NMR technology to analyze lipoprotein size and concentration in 262 patients with high-risk heart disease. The study found that a commonly prescribed statin, pravastatin, was equally effective in lowering bad cholesterol levels regardless of LDL particle size.
The report proposes differential pricing as a solution to bridge the gap between drug makers and activists. However, its implementation is uncertain, with experts disagreeing on how it should be set up or implemented.
A new University of Michigan study confirms that the utilization of prescription drugs, especially newly introduced ones, is the biggest reason for double-digit increases in overall prescription drug costs. Managed care insurance plans saw a 35% jump in prescription costs due to their members' rush on existing and new drugs.
Researchers suggest emphasizing law enforcement at early stages of a new drug epidemic, then shifting funds to treatment when use flattens. The model is based on data from the U.S. cocaine epidemic and takes into account market and price dynamics, including the role of initiation, cessation, and treatment.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all cases, with rising costs placing a strain on healthcare resources. Insulin usage and complications are key drivers of increased costs.
The estimated total first year costs for diagnosing, treating, and managing FMMA range from $410 for insulin resistance to $7,368 for abnormal fat distribution, with second-year costs ranging from $115 to $3,895 depending on the symptom being treated.
The Express Scripts 1999 Drug Trend Report reveals a record 17.4 percent increase in prescription drug spending, with senior citizens facing the biggest cost increases. The average cost of a prescription rose 9.6 percent in 1999, driven by higher prices and greater drug utilization.