Articles tagged with Drug Costs
Two studies investigated links between clinical benefit and pricing in Europe and the USA, finding that many new anti-cancer medicines had low added value. The median monthly cost of these drugs was EUR2,525 more than comparator drugs in Europe, but not associated with improved outcomes.
A recent analysis found that most cancer drug submissions lack health-related quality of life data and fail the cost-effectiveness test. The study highlights the need for better reimbursement policies to balance costs and benefits of expensive cancer treatments.
Researchers found that a daily polypill with four medications lowered systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol by an average of 9 mm Hg and 15 mg per deciliter, respectively. Medication adherence was high in the polypill group, with 86% sticking to their regimen over 12 months.
Researchers found that methotrexate significantly reduces symptoms associated with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia, two types of blood cancer. The study suggests MTX could provide low-cost, safe, and effective treatment for patients suffering from these conditions.
A review of the literature suggests that adolescents with severe opioid use disorder can be treated with these medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. However, further research is needed to understand optimal treatment duration and retention rates.
Experts Dr. Richard G. Frank and Len M. Nichols offer a three-step solution to affordable prescription drugs, targeting high-markup drugs and establishing reference prices for negotiations.
A recent study demonstrates the use of Generative Tensorial Reinforcement Learning (GENTRL) to design and validate a novel drug candidate against fibrosis and cancer. The AI process accelerated the development from 46 days, reducing the time estimate by approximately 94%.
A new trial shows that care led by non-physician health workers significantly reduced the risk of heart disease and stroke compared to usual care. The comprehensive approach combined free medications, lifestyle counselling, and family support more than doubled blood pressure control and reduced cardiovascular disease risk.
A recent study found that Medicare patients with multiple sclerosis have seen a significant increase in out-of-pocket costs for their medications over the past decade. The cost of these drugs has risen more than sevenfold, affecting not only the patients but also the healthcare system as a whole.
Researchers developed an app called MedBlockChain that uses blockchain technology to prescribe optimal medicine doses for individual patients. The app also detects counterfeit products, providing a safer and more efficient way to manage pharmaceuticals.
Children with mild asthma can effectively manage their condition by using inhalers when symptoms occur, reducing steroid medication use by almost 75%.
Researchers have invented an affordable solution to measure tremor in mice using a smartphone, potentially leading to new treatments. The method uses a cage with rubber bands and a mounted smartphone to detect vibrations, producing comparable results to expensive equipment.
Independent charity prescription drug assistance programs in the US primarily cover insured patients, leaving out those without health insurance. These programs tend to favor higher-priced brand-name drugs over generics.
Researchers investigated the financial and environmental impact of unused pharmaceuticals in cataract surgery, revealing substantial economic and ecological consequences. The study's findings emphasize the importance of implementing effective waste management practices to minimize these effects.
A systematic review found no evidence that brand-brand competition lowers existing brand-name drug prices in the US market. However, some studies suggest that such competition may help set new drug prices, but only for safer or more effective drugs with greater marketing.
Researchers found that high-risk patients who have prescriptions for PCSK9 inhibitors rejected by insurance or not filled by patients are more likely to experience cardiovascular events. The study also identified disparities in prescription rejection rates among different demographics, including women and minorities.
A study found that the effective drug Entresto may be unaffordable for senior citizens due to high insurance copayments. The therapy, a combination of sacubitril/valsartan, costs over $5,000 and can result in annual copayments exceeding $1,600.
A QUT study found that only 57.6% of pharmacies in Brisbane followed dispensing behavior compliant with therapeutic guidelines, while 31.3% oversold or over-treated medication. The study highlights the need for better guidance and training for pharmacists to ensure effective treatment outcomes.
A study at Boston Medical Center found that symptom-triggered medication dosing for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome reduces hospital stay length and unnecessary medication exposure. Infants treated with this approach had a median stay of 10.5 days, compared to 17 days for fixed-schedule treatment.
Boston University researchers suggest making buprenorphine available behind the counter with age and quantity limitations to increase access for treating opioid use disorder. This could lead to reduced health costs, lower drug-related crime, and more lives saved.
Researchers found that providing a year's supply of birth control pills upfront can reduce unintended pregnancies and lower healthcare costs. The study estimates that this policy change would prevent 583 unintended pregnancies and save the VA approximately $2 million annually.
Researchers found that Medicare beneficiaries with high annual drug spending may pay more out-of-pocket for generics than brands if they use expensive specialty drugs. The study's lead author argues that policy changes are needed to address the issue and ensure generic drug users aren't overpaying.
A University of Queensland researcher calls for the PBS to update its restrictions on anti-epileptic drugs to ensure safe and up-to-date clinical practice. The current system fosters outdated prescribing practice and suboptimal care.
Researchers found that Ohio Medicaid's switch to managed care saved $145 million annually due to lower prescription claims prices. The study highlights the need for policy changes to address opaque pricing practices and anti-competitive tactics used by pharmacy benefit managers.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that generic and brand-name levothyroxine therapy are similar in terms of cardiovascular event rates, with lower pharmacy costs for the generic drug. The analysis used deidentified claims data from a large private health plan and included over 87,000 patients.
A study analyzed medicine prices in Russia, finding a significant decrease since 2015, with generic prices nearing reference prices. Regulatory measures implemented in the Russian Federation have contributed to improving access to medicines.
A Scripps Research study analyzed pharmacy insurance claims from over 35 million Americans and found that popular brand-name drugs experienced 'continual, marked, annual increases' between 2012 and 2017. The researchers concluded that the complex rebate system drives up costs for consumers.
A study of 20,000 patients found that reading their clinicians' visit notes significantly improves patient-reported behaviors and perceptions concerning benefits versus risks. Patients reported increased understanding of medications and felt more in control of their medications after reading their notes.
Researchers found that doctors were as accurate in estimating patients' adherence as patients were in reporting their medication habits. Developing a medication routine or habit can lessen the risk of forgetting medication. The study aims to provide insights for doctors to effectively identify and address barriers to medication adherence.
A new study found that weight loss medications are extremely lowly used among eligible veterans, with only about one percent receiving treatment. Barriers such as insurance coverage, age, and ethnicity drive underuse of these medications, highlighting the need for additional research to better understand obstacles.
A new study found that hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) surge in the US among young adults, but remain relatively low in Canada. The disparity is attributed to differences in healthcare systems and access to insulin, with the US experiencing a significant increase in DKA rates as teenagers become young adults.
A new study reveals stark racial and financial divides in opioid addiction treatment, with white patients receiving nearly four times as many buprenorphine prescriptions as black patients. The study also found that three-quarters of buprenorphine prescriptions were given to those who paid cash or had private insurance.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that patients treated by Medicare providers committing fraud and abuse are more likely to be minorities, disabled, and dually-enrolled in Medicaid. The study analyzed data from 2012-2015 and identified over 1 million beneficiaries treated by excluded providers.
A new study finds that brand-name prescription drugs in the US are 3.2-4.1 times higher than in the UK, Japan, and Canada. Adopting external reference pricing could reduce Medicare spending by up to 70% and improve affordability for beneficiaries.
A joint study between University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare found that inducing labor one week early costs the same as waiting for spontaneous labor. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 low-risk mothers and found that increased costs from longer hospital stays are offset by cost savings from avoiding additional tes...
The study found that out-of-pocket costs for MS drugs increased 20 times between 2004 and 2016, with people in high-deductible plans paying twice as much. The annual cost of treating neurologic disorders in the US is over $500 billion.
The pharmaceutical industry is embracing continuous manufacturing processes, offering reduced costs, factory space, and processing time. Companies like Janssen, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer have received approvals for drugs produced by continuous processes, paving the way for more complex chemistries.
A randomized controlled trial found that texting patients with schizophrenia improved medication adherence by 27%, reducing relapses and re-hospitalizations. The LEAN program, which combines lay health supporters and mobile texting, was effective in resource-poor settings.
Research from the University of Illinois Chicago shows that pharmacies closing leads to decreased adherence to heart medications like statins and beta-blockers. People living in low-access neighborhoods or using independent pharmacies are most affected.
A new study found that 40% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were unnecessary, with urinary tract infections, bronchitis, skin structure infections, and sinusitis being common causes. Real-time alerts and patient education may help reduce misuse by targeting these factors in the outpatient setting.
A novel body awareness training, MABT, helps women recover from drug addiction by teaching them to recognize physical and emotional signals in their bodies. Participants who received the intervention showed significant improvements in substance use, distress, and emotion regulation, with lasting effects over a year.
The IDAct system uses battery-free RFID tags and readers to track objects and detect human presence, potentially enhancing elder care with unobtrusive monitoring of medications and daily activities. The technology has been tested with high accuracy, detecting specific activities over 96% of the time.
A study found that heart failure patients are more likely to use the medication ivabradine when it is prescribed before hospital discharge. This can lead to a reduction in heart rate and improved outcomes. However, adoption of the therapy has been slow due to high cost and provider lack of familiarity.
A study suggests that individualized screening intervals can effectively reduce cardiovascular disease risk by detecting high-risk individuals more timely. The researchers found that the current 5-yearly screenings are unnecessarily frequent for low-risk individuals and insufficiently frequent for intermediate-risk individuals.
A new study by University of Utah Health found that oral antimicrobial drugs excel in preserving parents' quality of life, costing significantly less ($7 vs $65 each day) and requiring less administration time (6 vs 90 minutes). This results in reduced time off work (30 vs 60 hours) and fewer missed days of school or daycare.
A new study finds that preventive medications, such as those for blood pressure and bone health, are frequently continued until death in older adults with cancer. The use of these medications can increase the risk of serious side effects and reduce quality of life.
A study by researchers found that growth hormone insurance strategies reduced total and insurer costs, but patient savings were minimal. The cost of treatment decreased for insurers, while average copayments, deductibles, and patient financial burden increased.
Researchers developed a simple, inexpensive method to identify samples by observing how they react to environmental changes. By capturing chronoprints – images of sample changes over time and distance – the test can compare unknown samples with authentic foods and medicines.
Researchers have developed a simple method called chronoprinting that can detect counterfeit medicines and food products. By analyzing how samples change over time, chronoprinting uses image analysis algorithms to distinguish pure from adulterated substances.
A recent study published by Hospital for Special Surgery found that joint replacement surgeries performed in an ambulatory setting show no increased risk of complications. The average cost per patient was $11,677 compared to $19,361 for in-patient procedures.
A new study finds that a drug given to pregnant women at risk of premature birth also lowers healthcare costs. The analysis revealed that pairs who received the treatment had average costs of $4,681 compared to $5,379 for those who did not receive it.
A recent analysis found that giving the steroid betamethasone to pregnant women at risk of late-preterm delivery results in lower hospital stays for infants. The study estimated costs for over 1,400 mother-infant pairs and found that the average cost for those who received the drug was $4,681, compared to $5,379 for those who did not.
Researchers at CAMH have discovered a new target for developing treatments for depression by finding higher levels of the brain protein MAO-B in people with clinical depression. The study found that individuals with depression had 26% higher MAO-B levels in their prefrontal cortex compared to those without depression.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health evaluates the Novartis Access program in Kenya, demonstrating that robust, 'gold standard' methods can be used to assess major pharmaceutical companies' access programs. The study found that the program significantly increased availability of two medicines in health facilities bu...
The introduction of generic immunosuppressive medications has led to significant cost savings for transplant patients and the Medicare program. On average, payments decreased by 48%-67% for Medicare Part D plans and 24%-44% for patients receiving the low-income subsidy.
A genetic discovery identifies a gene mutation allowing clinicians to tailor alternative treatments to patients at risk of thiopurine-induced bone marrow suppression. The test could reduce risks and costs associated with IBD treatment.
A study by OHSU researchers found that insurance industry cost-control measures have restricted access to buprenorphine, a vital medication for treating opioid use disorder. The proportion of insurance plans offering buprenorphine without restrictions decreased from 89% in 2007 to 35% in 2018.
A Yale research team found that nearly half of non-elderly adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease report financial hardship due to medical bills. The study reveals significant financial distress among these individuals, including cutting back on essential medications.
Researchers found that Medicare patients with multiple sclerosis spend $6,894 a year out of pocket for treatment. This is attributed to the lack of incentives for companies not to raise prices, leading to restrictive policies and high coinsurance cost-sharing models.
A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology finds that pharmacist-led follow-up calls can significantly reduce hospital readmission rates and improve patient outcomes. The intervention also had positive effects on healthcare costs, patient beliefs about medicines, and patient satisfaction.