Articles tagged with Drug Costs
Research found brand pharmaceutical company discount cards for brand-name drugs increased private insurer costs by 46%. The study analyzed data from 2.8 million prescriptions, showing that patients using these cards often paid more due to higher insurance premiums.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that brand-name drug discount cards lead to higher health care spending in Canada, increasing private insurer costs by 46% and public insurer costs by 1.3%. Despite offering some savings, these cards financially disadvantage patients who fill prescriptions with them.
Annual spending on biologics in US public programs nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016 due to rising drug prices. Post-market price changes accounted for 56% of the five-year spending increase, with unit price hikes alone responsible for $1.7 billion of the growth.
A study suggests that extending lifelong Medicare coverage of transplant medications would reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life for kidney transplant recipients. This policy change could benefit patients who are currently left without coverage after 36 months.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center identified specific virus characteristics that can help predict the efficacy of HIV-1 treatments using antibody-based treatments. These findings will enable physicians to make better-informed decisions on treatment plans for patients with HIV-1, ultimately treating the virus to slow it down earlier.
Research from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic reveals biosimilar drugs can lower costs for patients, but their use is still hindered by regulatory barriers. The study found that while physicians are willing to prescribe biosimilars, cost savings are minimal, and market share remains limited.
Researchers found that switching to dry powder inhalers from metered-dose inhalers could reduce carbon emissions by 58 tonnes annually, while also cutting drug costs. This switch could save the equivalent of 150-400kg of CO2 annually per individual.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that one in eight pharmacies in the US closed between 2009 and 2015. Independent pharmacies in urban areas are disproportionately affected, with nearly half closing due to lack of access to preferred pharmacy networks and 340B contracts.
A new smartphone app reminder significantly increased medication adherence among heart patients, with 65% correctly taking their pills at 90 days compared to 21% in the control group. The study's results suggest that mobile health technology can be a cost-effective strategy to improve adherence and reduce poor outcomes.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that US residents requesting online abortion medications cited difficulty accessing clinical care and personal preferences as reasons for their requests. The demand was highest in states with restrictive abortion policies, with Mississippi leading the way.
A new study of over 10,000 Canadian households reveals a strong correlation between food insecurity and nonadherence to prescription drugs. Food insecure households are more likely to experience cost-related nonadherence, which can exacerbate health issues associated with food insecurity.
The study found that clawbacks occur frequently in the market for topical prescription drugs, resulting in significant financial losses for patients. Insurers pay less than the patient's copayment, leading to overpayments of up to $1000 per year.
US overdose deaths attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl have surged, with purchases often made on the darknet. Fentanyl prices plummeted by 50% between 2014 and 2016, making it nearly twice as deadly as heroin.
The Pharmacist-Led Chronic Care Management Services model has been shown to improve patient outcomes and streamline medication regimens. By integrating pharmacists into the healthcare team, patients receive comprehensive medication management and lifestyle education.
A new study found that distributing essential medicines at no charge resulted in a 44% increase in adherence to medications. The study also discovered improvements in systolic blood pressure and the likelihood of participants meeting their financial needs.
A study found that nearly a third of patients with severe asthma are taking harmful doses of oral steroids. Improving adherence to inhaled therapies and inhaler technique can help avoid this. However, only half of eligible patients receive biologic asthma drugs, which could reduce exposure to harmful oral steroids.
A doctor, who is also the father of a child with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), offers a personal perspective on the benefits of the new treatment nusinersen. The medication has shown significant improvement in his son's condition, allowing him to regain motor skills and autonomy.
A panel of experts based on rigorous systematic reviews found little to no health benefits for reducing red or processed meat consumption. Most adults can continue their current levels of red and processed meat intake without negative health effects.
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.
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.
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 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.