Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that 26-45% of people with atrial fibrillation fail to adhere to their prescribed direct-acting oral anticoagulants due to cost and bleeding concerns. Researchers interviewed 42 adults who had stopped or reduced dosing, citing these reasons as major barriers to adherence.
A study conducted at a Brazilian university found that treatment with curcumin and light reduces parasite load and eliminates Leishmania parasites completely. Curcumin showed good distribution in macrophages and reduced amastigotes' viability, changing their mitochondrial activity.
Researchers found that factors like cost and prescription characteristics are associated with increased use of manufacturer's coupons at pharmacies. The study suggests that these factors may influence patients' decisions about using coupons to reduce medication costs.
A new study found that only 7% of patients who switched from Truvada to Descovy had a documented clinical reason for doing so, highlighting the need for cost-effective PrEP options. The significant price difference between the two medications may be a major barrier to broad and equitable PrEP use in the US.
A Harvard study found that 20% of diabetes patients with high-deductible health plans reported skipping medications due to cost, compared to 16% in traditional plans. Patients with insulin reliance were 31% more likely to miss medication.
A study by Cleveland Clinic found that combining a weight management program with FDA-approved anti-obesity medications leads to significant weight loss among adults with obesity. The research showed that participants who had access to the medications averaged -7.7% weight loss at 12 months, compared to -4.2% in those without medication.
Primary care physicians provide the largest share of vaccinations and clinical visits for COVID-19 testing, showcasing their crucial role in immunization programs. Researchers highlight the importance of integrating social care practices into healthcare delivery to address patients' economic and social needs.
A study in Beijing, China from 2016-2018 found a significant decrease in the quantity of diabetes medications used, with an 18.39% reduction in estimated annual medication costs. The decrease is attributed to rational use of medications and reduced usage of insulin.
The FDA's approval of aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease treatment has sparked ethical issues, with billions of dollars in Medicare resources at risk. Physicians face difficult choices between facilitating unjust access to the drug or denying it to desperate patients and families.
Recent studies from the University of Minnesota Medical School have found that dramatic drug price increases lead to higher outpatient costs and decreased patient access to appropriate treatment. The studies recommend transparency laws and separate review thresholds for off-patent drugs to address extreme pricing.
The national tender system in Norway has significantly reduced the cost of biologic and targeted drugs for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Over a 10-year period, the average annual costs were lowered by approximately 50%, with current users experiencing a 50% reduction and new patients seeing a 75% decrease.
A study found that drug rebates are associated with increased out-of-pocket costs for patients, particularly those without insurance. On average, patients with commercial insurance paid $6 more, Medicare patients $13, and the uninsured $39 due to rebates.
A recent University of Huddersfield study has found a sharp increase in antidepressant prescriptions and costs in England during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of prescriptions grew by four million items, costing NHS England an additional £139 million.
A majority of Americans, including Democrats and Republicans, favor empowering the federal government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices under Medicare. The survey found that only a minority believe this would harm innovation or competition from the pharmaceutical industry, with 39% of Republicans among them.
A digital tool developed by UK University of Bath predicts protein stability with speed and accuracy, cutting down on time and cost of drug development. The tool, called Quantitative Understanding of Bio-molecular Edge-Shift (QUBES), uses fluorescence and mathematical algorithms to analyze protein structure and predict stability.
A new study suggests that exempting asthma medications from the deductible in high-deductible health plans may reduce medication use and exacerbations in children, but not adults. The research found small decreases in annual fills for some controller medications among children switching to HDHPs.
A two-year study found that providing patients with free access to essential medicines increases adherence by 35% and reduces total health spending by an average of over $1,000 per patient per year. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, tested the effects of free medication on a selected set of medications.
A global study found that nearly half a billion people with diabetes are not receiving comprehensive care, which can reduce health risks such as heart attacks, strokes, and nerve damage. The study highlights major gaps in specific care, including low cholesterol-lowering medication use.
A new analysis by the West Health Policy Center estimates that the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) could result in hundreds of billions of dollars in lower commercial health insurance costs by 2030, primarily due to a $195 billion reduction in employer costs and $98 billion in savings for workers.
A new study from the University of Southern California finds that a Medicaid-Medicare partnership could save $1 to $1.1 billion over 25 years while treating hepatitis C cases. The model suggests that joint coverage of treatment would improve patient outcomes and reduce future healthcare costs.
A study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that potentially inappropriate prescribing is associated with functional decline, falls and hospital admissions. Decision support tools can help reduce medication-related harm, but comprehensive assessment of medication use during care transitions is crucial.
A new study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that a combined drug treatment for missed miscarriage is more effective and cheaper than current standard medication. The treatment, combining mifepristone and misoprostol, was on average £182 cheaper per successfully managed miscarriage.
A recent study found that combining two medications can double the effectiveness of gout treatment. Researchers at Michigan Medicine discovered that adding immunomodulation drug mycophenolate mofetil to Pegloticase infusions significantly increased the success rate, reducing urate levels below the therapeutic target in 86% of patients.
A new survey found that one in six US adults (16%) are staying in jobs they might otherwise leave out of fear of losing their employer-sponsored health insurance. Black workers are 50% more likely to stay in an unwanted job than their White and Hispanic counterparts.
A study published in Chinese Medical Journal found that generic antihypertensive drugs are as effective as brand-name counterparts in controlling blood pressure over the long term. The results suggest significant cost savings for patients, with treatment using generic drugs being only half as expensive as brand-name treatments.
A new study by Dr. Benjamin Rome and colleagues found that over half of patients experience increases in out-of-pocket costs when drug prices increase, with some patients facing 15% hikes. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 79 brand-name drugs and found average out-of-pocket costs rose 3.5% from 2015 to 2017.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical practice guideline on community-acquired pneumonia, addressing the use of nucleic acid-based testing for non-influenza viral pathogens. The guidelines recommend testing only for patients with severe CAP or immunocompromised patients.
New research reveals that deworming expectant mothers significantly reduces infant mortality and low birth weight, with a 14% decrease in neonatal mortality risk. In countries with lower transmission rates, deworming treatment decreases the odds of low birthweight by 11%.
Researchers found that common over-the-counter antibiotic treatments can slow healing and prevent regeneration of hair follicles after wounding. The study suggests that normal levels of bacteria actually improve healing, challenging the long-held theory that antibiotics promote healthy skin regeneration.