The American Gastroenterological Association has proposed a 12-point plan to enhance IBD care in the US, focusing on insurer-mandated barriers such as prior authorization and step therapy. The plan aims to improve treatment access and quality for over three million Americans living with IBD.
A new study found that many newly approved EU oncology drugs lack proof of added benefit, with over half recovering R&D costs within three years. This challenges the industry's claim that high drug prices are necessary to offset R&D expenses.
A new study suggests that Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) may offer significant savings for patients taking common urology medications, with the greatest potential to reduce costs being for solifenacin and oxybutynin. The online pharmacy's standardized pricing can reduce out-of-pocket costs by up to $20 per prescription.
A new study reveals that utilization of PCSK9 inhibitors is low among high-risk patients, despite extensive evidence documenting their role in LDL-C reduction and the prevention of heart attacks. The study found that insurance coverage rejection or abandonment leads to significantly more cardiovascular events within 12 months.
A new study found that reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes can lead to improved health outcomes, particularly among those living in lower-income areas. The study showed a 10.2% decrease in preventable diabetes complications among PDL members from lower-income areas compared to the control group.
Researchers propose a novel augmentation regimen, IPIAD, combining five generic non-oncology drugs with standard chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The IPIAD regimen uses repurposed drugs like irbesartan and azithromycin to potentially slow disease growth and improve outcomes.
A new study found that phenylephrine is the most popular nasal decongestant despite lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Removal from the market could disrupt supply chains and require significant investment in infrastructure for over-the-counter drug review.
A new study found that healthcare provider perceptions of patient preferences are the biggest barrier to prescribing oral rehydration salts (ORS), which costs only a few cents. Patients expressing a preference for ORS increased prescribing by 27 percentage points, making it an effective intervention.
New findings from a study on ketamine's efficacy in treating severe depression reveal that 52% of participants achieved remission after just three infusions. The study also found that half of those who had thought often of suicide before receiving ketamine experienced a dramatic drop in suicidal impulses.
A new RAND report finds that most new prescription drugs are sold first in the US before reaching other countries, but become widely available globally within about a year. The study's findings have implications for efforts to reduce high prescription costs in the US.
A study by Christina Andrews and her team found substantial variation in prior authorization use among different states and plan types. For-profit plans and those located in Republican-majority states were more likely to impose prior authorization policies, restricting access to life-saving treatment buprenorphine.
A new poll found that only 7.5% of people between 50-80 have used at least one direct-to-consumer health care service, with most receiving prescriptions for a one-time treatment. Many users didn't inform their regular providers about the prescriptions.
A recent study reveals that two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born in areas scoring high or very high on the scale of social vulnerability. This highlights the need for targeted efforts to support families affected by this genetic blood disease.
A recent review of opioid medicines for cancer pain found surprisingly large gaps in evidence regarding their true benefits. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be at least as effective as some opioids for background cancer pain, offering potential alternatives to reduce dependence and waning analgesia over time.
A study by the University of Sydney and University of Warwick found large gaps in evidence regarding opioid medicines for cancer pain. Non-opioid medicines, including aspirin, may be as effective as opioids for background cancer pain.
A new poll found that 83% of older adults believe health insurers should cover medications to help people with obesity manage their weight. Nearly as many, 76%, also believe Medicare should cover these drugs, which are currently not covered under law.
A Northwestern University study found that nearly two-thirds of patients discontinue or change their medication within a year, highlighting the need for better understanding of barriers to treatment adherence. The high discontinuation rate for GLP-1 RAs may be due to gastrointestinal side effects.
Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and found that some private insurers were reimbursing pharmacies at much higher rates than what they spent to acquire generic drugs. This can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors due to copayments and deductibles.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that individuals with higher wealth levels had greater hospital care and medication costs before diagnosis. However, after diagnosis, wealth was associated with lower healthcare costs due to differences in comorbidities among different wealth groups.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University is developing a low-cost, safe, and controlled cancer treatment using programmable bacteria. The $20 million project aims to create an efficient bacterial therapeutic that can target cancer cells with high precision, reducing side effects and costs.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that about 1 in 10 prescription drugs has a manufacturer-sponsored patient support program. These programs offer financial, nursing, and educational supports to patients, primarily for expensive and rare disease drugs.
Researchers develop method to produce valuable chemicals at lower cost, using ozone and copper catalyst. This breakthrough could make cancer treatment more affordable, with prices potentially reduced from thousands to just a few dollars.
The PhRMA Foundation awarded two $500,000 Frontier Awards to researchers William Padula and Surachat Ngorsuraches for their patient-centered value assessment models. Their studies will advance the field of value assessment by applying theoretical models in a real-world context and engaging with patients to ensure their voices are inclu...
Researchers at Stanford Medicine found that nurse practitioners are no more likely than primary care physicians to inappropriately prescribe drugs to older patients. The study analyzed over 73,000 providers and found a similar rate of inappropriate prescribing among both groups.
A study by Jessica Ho found that Americans born in 2019 can expect to spend 48% and 60% of their lives taking prescription drugs, respectively. The majority of men start taking medication at age 40, while women begin at age 15.
A study of 80 online marijuana dispensaries found that most lacked adequate age verification features and accepted nontraceable payment methods. This enabled youth to hide their transactions, with almost 1 in 5 dispensaries requiring no formal age verification at any stage.
A new health care utility model called Civica Rx increases supply security and reduces costs for health systems, with increased access to critical medications. The model prioritizes access over profit and offers transparent pricing for all customers.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that injectable extended-release buprenorphine is limited by cost and treatment retention, while oral buprenorphine may be a more cost-effective option. The opioid overdose crisis requires a broad range of effective treatments, including injectable formulations.
A free online tool can help prostate cancer patients save thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket drug costs by comparing Medicare Part D prescription plans. The Medicare Part D Plan Finder identifies significant savings for patients taking abiraterone or enzalutamide, two common prescription drugs for advanced prostate cancer.
A nationally representative study found that at least one out of five prescriptions for commonly prescribed generic medications were cheaper through Amazon Prime or GoodRx Gold discount cards compared to actual out-of-pocket payments made by patients. The findings highlight the disproportionately higher frequency of out-of-pocket payme...
A recent study published in The Lancet found that home-monitoring during IVF is just as effective as hospital checks, with similar pregnancy rates and fewer complications. This approach also reduces costs by up to 80% and has numerous environmental benefits.
A new study finds that cost-cutting policy changes, mobile apps, and psychological strategies can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times among breast cancer survivors. The study also highlights the importance of managing side effects through physical therapy, exercise, and behavioral counseling.
The estimated cost of cardiovascular disease in the EU in 2021 was €282 billion, accounting for 2% of Europe's GDP. The majority of this cost was attributed to health and social care systems, with hospital care being the main contributor.
A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School found that high costs for hepatic encephalopathy treatment are associated with decreased treatment retention among patients. Patients who are younger and have metastatic cancer or depression are more likely to skip their medication.
Researchers have made a significant discovery in gene therapy, showing that genetically engineered blood stem cells can be created while still in the bone marrow. This approach eliminates the need for chemotherapy and transplantation of corrected cells, cutting costs and improving access to critical treatments.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a continuous-flow manufacturing method for producing cefazolin, an essential antibiotic. This new approach reduces time, cost and waste, making it ideal for flexible production and improving global health access.
A study suggests that bare minimum reimbursement rates could be a barrier to HPV vaccination, with non-pediatric specialties receiving lower rates. Family medicine doctors were found to be most sensitive to changes in reimbursement, which may contribute to geographic disparities in vaccination rates.
A Canadian study found that patients were very satisfied with care from their family physicians (90%) and allied health teams (89%), comparable to traditional in-person models. Another pilot program successfully engaged hard-to-reach adolescents in preventive care, demonstrating a 40% increase in show rates for well visits.
A new UCF study found that insurance coverage of extended-release buprenorphine injections is lacking, with only 46% of commercial plans and 19% of Medicare Advantage plans covering it. Prior-authorization requirements also pose a barrier to access, particularly for Medicaid plans.
A new analysis found that combining weight-based dosing and shared single-use vials in VA hospitals could reduce cancer spending by 14%. This concept could be applied nationwide to improve cost-effectiveness of cancer care.
The American Heart Association policy statement outlines strategies to shift towards value-based healthcare and payment models, prioritizing equity, patient and clinician experience, and individual and population health. The recommendations include person-centered, equitable, coordinated care that improves outcomes and controls costs.
The decision analytic model found monoclonal antibodies pre-exposure prophylaxis to be cost-effective for individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19. The study suggests that lower drug prices and higher effectiveness could further increase the benefits of mAbs PrEP provision.
A randomized controlled trial found that time-restricted eating produced similar weight loss results to traditional calorie counting in a racially diverse population of adults with obesity. Participants who engaged in 8-hour time-restricted eating had improved insulin sensitivity compared to those in the control group.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found potential savings of $661.8M (78.8%) if insurers purchased seven generic oncology drugs at MCCPDC prices, with total savings ranging from $228.1M to $2,154.5M.
A Canadian study found that eliminating out-of-pocket medication expenses for patients with cost-related nonadherence results in lower healthcare spending over three years. The analysis suggests that reducing medication costs could lead to significant savings in the overall healthcare system.
A new randomized, controlled trial aims to integrate nutritional counseling with food-generating activities among people with HIV and food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. The project seeks to reduce viral loads, increase ART adherence, and improve overall health outcomes.
A national panel survey of 2,000 older adults found that 1 in 5 experienced cost-related medication nonadherence due to incorrect pricing. Real-time benefit tools can support medication cost conversations and cost-conscious prescribing, but accurate pricing is crucial to build trust with patients.
A cost analysis suggests Lecanemab, an antidementia medication with modest clinical benefit, could add billions to Medicare spending each year. Beneficiaries without supplemental coverage would face substantial out-of-pocket costs.
The Medicines for All Institute will work on 14 new global health projects, reducing costs of medicines for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and neglected tropical diseases. With the $18.7 million grant, Medicines for All aims to improve access to low-cost medications for people living with these diseases.
Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.
A sharp increase in colchicine's price led to a 17% drop in its use and worsened disease control in gout patients. Patients turned to alternative medications with potentially different side effects, resulting in increased emergency department visits and specialist consultations.
A Bentley University study shows that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests similarly to the pharmaceutical industry in bringing new drugs to market. The NIH spent $187 billion on research related to FDA-approved drugs between 2010-2019, with an average investment per approved drug of $1.7 billion.
A majority of people over 50 are open to stopping one or more prescription medicines, but many don't discuss it with their health provider first. The poll shows that comprehensive medication reviews and cost considerations play a crucial role in deprescribing conversations.
A new study found that the Medicaid 'cliff' - an abrupt end to supplemental insurance above federal poverty threshold - disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic older adults. This results in reduced healthcare use, including fewer doctor visits and prescribed medications, exacerbating existing health disparities.
A Brown-led research team found that four dementia-care interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000 in societal costs and reduced nursing home admissions while improving quality of life. Non-drug interventions have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and can help people with dementia stay safely at home longer.
A new study reveals that the SPUR tool, developed by Kingston University and Observia, can accurately predict hospital admissions and early readmissions in people with Type 2 Diabetes. The tool has been found to be effective in reducing hospital admissions and improving patient outcomes.
A study by University of Georgia researchers found that revised prescription labels with explicit instructions can dramatically improve medication adherence to antihypertension medications, contraceptives, and asthma controllers. This improvement was seen in patients taking these medications, including those with asthma, hypertension, ...
A study found that over 80% of American adults with type 2 diabetes meet the criteria to use GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is, but only a small percentage are using them. The medications have a substantially higher cost than current first-line treatments, making it difficult for patients to access them.
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Urology found that using Mark Cuban's cost-plus drug pricing model could save Medicare an estimated $1.29 billion annually on urological drugs. This would lead to more affordable treatment options for patients and redirect taxpayer funds towards other important issues.