Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
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guidelines will help physicians select the correct treatment based on individual patient needs, reducing reliance on outdated data.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.
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 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.
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.
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.