Articles tagged with Drug Costs
A study by University of Otago researchers found removing the $5 prescription charge significantly reduces hospital admissions and length of stays, especially for those with high health needs and low incomes. The authors recommend eliminating or reducing charges to address health inequities.
The American College of Physicians recommends using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or second-generation antidepressants as initial treatment for adults with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. The guideline also suggests considering combination therapy and discussing patient preferences when selecting a treatment.
A new paper proposes sharing intellectual property rights to vaccines with the global community to increase access and potentially save millions of lives. By doing so, companies can raise prices for medicines under patents and sell them only to those willing to pay the most to maximize profits.
The American College of Physicians recommends bisphosphonates as initial pharmacologic treatment to reduce fracture risk in osteoporosis patients. Long-term use may increase risks, so treatment duration should be limited to 5 years or less.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for cancer-associated thrombosis found that DOACs are more medically effective and cost-effective. The most cost-effective DOAC, apixaban, was also shown to be the least costly anticoagulant.
A study of over one million Medicaid beneficiaries found that more than half experienced significant lapses in coverage, with only 25% continuously enrolled throughout the period. The authors recommend increasing investments to improve long-term health outcomes.
A study funded by the American Academy of Neurology found that only a small percentage of people with neurologic conditions are being treated with new medications, despite their higher costs. The study also revealed that out-of-pocket costs for new drugs are highly variable and unpredictable compared to existing medications.
Researchers analyzed Colorado's all-payer claims database to identify high-cost generic medications with lower-cost therapeutic alternatives of same clinical value, resulting in a 15.6 times price difference. Substituting these high-cost generics with their alternatives could reduce total spending by up to 88%.
Spending on prescription drugs was a significant portion of healthcare spending among Medicare beneficiaries, accounting for approximately 27%, even after post-sale rebates. The study highlights the need to address rising medication costs and explores ways to mitigate this burden on individuals and the healthcare system.
A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.
Researchers found that discounted prices were 1.5 times higher for human medications than for pet medications, affecting over 60% of medications.
Researchers found no link between R&D costs and high drug prices in the US, contradicting industry claims. Despite $83 billion spent on R&D in 2019, drug prices are driven by market demand rather than investment costs.
A new study found that placing a monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients could lower their highest monthly healthcare bills by 50-60%. A $500 monthly limit would affect about 25% of enrollees and reduce in-network OOP costs over a year by 46%, while a $250 limit would show a 51% reduction.
A pioneering behavioural diagnostic tool, SPUR, has been developed to improve medication adherence in type 2 diabetes patients. The study found that the tool can reliably identify patients struggling with their medicines and the reasons why.
Researchers have genetically engineered yeast to produce vindoline and catharanthine, the precursors to vinblastine, a widely used anti-cancer drug. This breakthrough may lead to new sources of these compounds and reduce dependence on plant farming and logistics challenges.
A large, randomized trial found that metformin reduced serious COVID-19 outcomes by more than half in high-risk patients when started early. The study compared three medications and provided valuable insights into their effects on COVID-19.
Research found annual earnings for men in same-sex couples decrease by $2,650 when PrEP drugs become available. Part-time employment also increases by 10.7% among young white men taking HIV prevention drugs.
A study of over 26,000 eye care professionals found that those receiving small financial incentives from pharmaceutical companies are up to twice as likely to prescribe brand-name eyedrops for glaucoma. The researchers suggest that frequent exposure to positive messaging about a drug may influence this tendency.
A new study by the University of Southern California found that formulary restrictions and prior authorization policies can limit access to life-saving medications like NOACs, leading to increased stroke risk. The research suggests that these policies may be 'penny wise and pound foolish' for patients with atrial fibrillation.
A study found that a majority of online pharmacies selling imatinib, a chronic myeloid leukemia therapy, are uncertified and operate unsafely. Patients may face risks of nonadherence, treatment failures, and adverse events if they use these pharmacies.
A new study found that while the availability of lower-priced epinephrine auto-injector competitors has improved affordability for many patients, a significant minority still pay significantly more for life-saving medication. High-deductible health plans are a major contributing factor to these high costs.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an easy and inexpensive method for linking molecules to DNA sequences with desired functions. The method uses sulfonyl azides to introduce various functionalities, avoiding the need for expensive and unstable special phosphoramidites.
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh found that patients with diabetes on Medicare Advantage plans are more likely to receive preventive treatments, but less likely to receive newer and more expensive medications. This disparity can lead to poorer health outcomes, including higher blood pressure and worse diabetes control.
A new study from the University of Bergen analyzed drug decisions in Norway between 2014 and 2019, using confidential drug prices. The researchers found that coverage decisions align with priority setting criteria, accepting higher costs for more severe diseases.
A new UCLA study found that fixed vial sizes for the controversial Alzheimer's drug aducanumab could result in significant wasteful spending of up to $605 million per year on Medicare. The researchers suggest reducing vial sizes to contain costs and improve the value of future Medicare spending.
Researchers found that medical industry-funded studies are more likely to conclude new treatments are cost-effective than independent research. This can lead to biased cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) and potentially higher prices for new drugs and technologies in insurance plans, affecting low- and middle-income countries.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that Medicare could save up to $3.6 billion by purchasing generic drugs at the same prices as the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. The researchers compared the price of 89 generic drugs sold by MCCPDC to the price Medicare paid in 2020 and estimated potential savings of up to $3....
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that brand-name epilepsy drugs experienced a significant price hike between 2010 and 2018, with costs rising by 277% compared to generic alternatives, which decreased in value by 42%. This shift in pricing has major implications for patients and healthcare systems.
Researchers developed a rapid blood assay that measures the magnitude and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, allowing large-scale monitoring of population immunity. The test takes less than 24 hours to perform and is scalable to use broadly in the population.
Recent trends in US prescription drug launch prices show a significant increase from 2008 to 2021, with average annual growth rates reaching 9.5%. The study highlights the need for policymakers and regulators to address this issue and ensure affordable medication for patients.
A global black market for COVID-19 antiviral drugs is emerging, putting patients' health in jeopardy due to unequal distribution and substandard products. The investigation found that patients are buying pills online without medical supervision, increasing the risk of birth defects and viral resistance.
A new NJIT-led center aims to tackle complex challenges in drug development, including improved solubility, affordability, and accessibility. Researchers will investigate particle properties and develop digital tools to predict behaviors, enabling more efficient formulations and manufacturing processes.
The US healthcare system faces a significant challenge in providing high-quality, personalized obesity care due to lack of insurance coverage for effective medications and societal stigma. Recent efforts aim to address this issue through framework development and policy changes, which may lead to improved patient outcomes and cost savi...
A review of 38 randomized controlled trials found that counseling patients about contraceptive use and providing contraceptives increases use without increasing STI risk or reducing condom use. The interventions also decrease unintended pregnancy in trials designed to evaluate this outcome.
Researchers have discovered a simple way to prevent pharmaceutical fraud using candy-coated pills with unique color patterns. The technique, called CandyCode, uses tiny multicolored candy nonpareils as a uniquely identifiable coating for pharmaceutical capsules and pills.
A new report estimates the total economic burden of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States to be over $85 billion, with direct medical costs reaching $63.3 billion and indirect non-medical costs totaling $22.1 billion. The average excess medical cost per person with MS was found to be $65,612.
The COVID-19 treatment remdesivir dominated hospital drug spending in 2021, with total spending reaching $576.9 billion. Biosimilars usage increased, saving the healthcare system money, while new drugs like aducanumab and upcoming oncology approvals are expected to impact spending.
Medicare beneficiaries without low-income subsidies were nearly twice as likely to not fill prescriptions for serious health conditions like cancer or hepatitis C treatment, according to a new study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers. The study found that 30% of patients without subsidies did not fill their prescribe...
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A new study suggests that outpatient treatment for infective endocarditis can reduce mortality rates, extend life expectancy, and be more cost-effective than standard inpatient therapy. The strategy also showed improved cure rates compared to other approaches.
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
A study estimates that switching from capsule to tablet or ointment and cream forms of prescription drugs can result in significant cost savings for insured patients. The analysis found potential savings ranging from $500 to $1,400 per year.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that the value of long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention is comparable to generic oral alternatives. The study found that CAB-LA's superiority over oral PrEP among high-risk individuals would not justify a large price difference.
Research found that patients with hepatitis B were unable to afford generic drug entecavir due to high out-of-pocket costs, despite generic manufacturer competition. The study concludes that patients appear shielded from benefits of generic competition, leading to a significant patient-cost burden.
A UCLA-led study found that aducanumab's ancillary care services, such as MRIs and neurologist visits, account for nearly 20% of total Medicare costs. The estimated annual spending on the drug could increase Medicare premiums.
A new study reveals that health insurers are covering most of the cost of ivermectin prescriptions for COVID-19, despite the drug's ineffective treatment against the virus. The study estimates that U.S. private and Medicare plans may have paid $2.4 million for ivermectin prescriptions in a single week alone.
A new RAND Corporation study estimates that biosimilar drugs could save the US healthcare system up to $124.5 billion from 2021 to 2025, mainly due to downward pressure on brand-name biologics. The estimated savings are driven by increased competition and more aggressive adoption of biosimilars.
A randomized controlled trial involving 51 GP practices and 404 patients found a significant reduction in the number of medicines prescribed for older people with multimorbidity. The intervention group experienced over 800 medicines being stopped, with only mild adverse reactions reported.
Adults from sexual minority groups are more likely to use alternative therapies, skip medication doses, and delay prescription refills to reduce medication costs. The findings highlight a significant disparity in health outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients and underscore the need for improved access to medications.
Researchers devised a novel approach to unify quality assessment of generic drugs developed through different processes. The 'population pharmaceutical quality assessment' method uses computational modeling to evaluate process information, providing a scientific tool for objective quality consistency evaluation.
A new evidence review by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that the expensive multiple sclerosis drug Acthar provides very little clinical benefit compared to less-expensive alternatives. The study screened 41 studies and found weak or no benefit from Acthar against standard medications like corticosteroids.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes Journal found that increasing the use of generic medications for heart and blood vessel diseases in Medicare Part D could save more than $600 million per year. This would lead to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and improved adherence rates.
A new analysis proposes four solutions states can implement to improve Medicaid eligibility for seniors, including eliminating the asset test or increasing its limit. This could lead to lower administrative burdens and improved health outcomes for eligible individuals.
A recent study from George Mason University found that introducing generic statin medications can reduce prices by up to 95% when six or more generic competitors exist. The study reveals average annual cost savings per individual of $211.9 for out-of-pocket, translating to an $11.9 billion savings for the US.
A USC Schaeffer study finds that middlemen in the insulin distribution chain now capture approximately 53% of net proceeds, up from 30% in 2014. Meanwhile, manufacturers receive a decreased share, but the total cost to the healthcare system remains relatively flat.
Researchers at UVA Health System found that fluoxetine, an antidepressant commonly known as Prozac, shows promise against age-related macular degeneration. Patients taking fluoxetine were less likely to develop dry AMD, a condition affecting nearly 200 million people worldwide.
Two new studies examine rising cancer drug spending in the US, finding that many patients receive treatments with no documented overall survival benefit. The studies suggest that the combination of regulatory, pricing, and reimbursement policies contributes to wasteful healthcare spending.
A new study funded by FDA and HHS suggests that continuous manufacturing (CM) processes could make pharmaceutical production in the US more attractive than investing in China or India. The findings show that CM processes were more economical than current batch processing, particularly under current US corporate tax rates.
A new RAND Corporation study models likely savings from legislative proposal to adopt reference pricing, which could reduce US spending on prescription drugs by at least half. The study found that caps on prices set at 120% of what is paid in six other nations could lower US spending on insulins and 50 top brand-name drugs by 52%, savi...
A new study found that subscription-based payment models increased HCV prescription fills by 534% in Louisiana and improved population health. The model incentivizes states to treat as many individuals who benefit from HCV treatment, aligning with the WHO's goal to eradicate the virus by 2030.