Articles tagged with Drug Costs
A recent editorial emphasizes the importance of evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), highlighting the benefits of medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Experts stress that these treatments should be evaluated like any other chronic illness, free from unnecessary regulations and biases.
A daily dose of buprenorphine-naloxone is cost-effective compared to monthly injections of extended-release naltrexone, with similar effectiveness in quality of life and time abstaining from opioids. The researchers conclude that buprenorphine-naloxone should be preferred as the first-line treatment for opioid use disorder.
A new study found racial disparities in the use of oral anticoagulants among Black patients with atrial fibrillation. Compared to white and Hispanic patients, Black patients had lower odds of receiving oral anticoagulants, particularly newer versions.
Implementing a national pharmacare program in 2020 would require $9.7 billion in public funding, resulting in $13.5 billion in savings to the private sector. The authors suggest using a mix of federal revenue sources, including small increases in personal and corporate taxes.
Drug development stakeholders advocate for predictive, human-based nonclinical tests to prioritize safety and effectiveness. They propose increased funding, improved guidelines, and regulation to reduce waste, cost, and animal use.
Researchers analyzed simulated children with peanut allergy and estimated value-based pricing for autoinjector devices. The analysis suggests a maximum price of $24 a year to protect against risk of death from anaphylaxis.
A new study by RCSI found that older hospital patients are 72% more likely to receive inappropriate prescriptions, regardless of other factors. The research highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider the potential adverse effects of hospitalization on prescribing appropriate medication for older adults.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released new guidelines for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), emphasizing the importance of review by an infectious diseases specialist before starting treatment. Regular monitoring and blood tests are also recommended to ensure patient safety.
A new study found that personalized medicine technique reduced treatment times by up to 6 weeks, with 21 patients remaining virus-free and no significant loss of efficacy. The results have the potential to save $10 billion annually in healthcare costs.
A new study found that legacy prescribing patterns are widespread, with 46% of patients prescribed antidepressants continuously for more than 15 months. The researchers highlight the need for system-oriented change to address this issue and explore legacy prescribing as a quality measure.
Researchers at Virginia Tech aim to create new ways to use renewably sourced plant and wood polymers to tackle long-standing challenges in medical drug solubility. The project focuses on designing biodegradable polymers that can help orally administered drugs reach the bloodstream effectively.
Lifestyle interventions, medication, and surgery can effectively delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in the majority of patients, but limited access to these treatments is a major issue. Evidence-based interventions show that weight loss through lifestyle changes or metabolic surgery can reduce the risk of diabetes by up to 78%.
Research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs found that Northern Ireland's strict abortion laws have negative consequences for women's physical and mental well-being. Women often face barriers to accessing care, including fear of prosecution, lack of clarity on healthcare provider duties, and challenges in arranging travel or childcare.
A new study reveals wide variation in benzodiazepine prescribing among primary care doctors, with some counties having three times the level of sedative prescribing as others. High-intensity prescribers tend to be high-intensity users of opioid painkillers and other high-risk medications.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati recommend universal screening for all adults due to the rise in hepatitis C cases among younger patients. The new strategy is cost-effective and aims to prevent long-term health problems such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.
A study from University of California San Diego found that patients who recorded videos of themselves taking TB medications had better adherence to treatment than those observed in-person. VDOT (video directly observed therapy) was also cost-effective and preferred over traditional DOT.
A new report by UCL and partners warns that the global health innovation system is 'fundamentally broken' and fails to deliver treatments at affordable prices. The report calls for a major overhaul of the system to prioritize long-term public value over short-term corporate profits.
The new guidelines update previous recommendations, prioritizing patient-centric care, medication adherence, and lifestyle management. They also highlight the importance of metabolic surgery, metformin as first-line therapy, and personalized medication selection based on patient preferences and comorbidities.
A new USC study reveals that sudden price hikes for some generic drugs are becoming more common, reflecting emerging strategies by generic manufacturers to target therapeutic areas with limited competition. The study found that prices for most generic drugs declined over time, but the fraction of drugs with prices that at least doubled...
A new study reveals that cardiac implants in the US are significantly more expensive than those in European countries, with prices ranging from $340 to $4,200 for a single device. The research suggests that health system-level factors contribute to these price differences and may influence hospital incentives to contain costs.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago caution against adopting smart pill technology due to concerns over patient privacy and consent. The technology, which tracks drug regimen compliance, may not improve patients' lives as promised.
Prescription drug shortages lead to estimated $230 million in annual costs due to rising prices and substitution drugs. Researchers found price increases reflect manufacturers' opportunistic behavior during shortages.
The DIY bio movement is disrupting the pharmaceutical industry with open-source protocols for manufacturing off-patent insulin, increasing competition and potentially making life-saving medicine more affordable. The Open Insulin Project, a case study, aims to develop and release an open-source protocol for manufacturing insulin.
Researchers found that medical cannabis provides immediate symptom relief across various health conditions, including chronic pain and insomnia. Patients reported an average symptom reduction of nearly 4 points on a 1-10 scale following cannabis consumption.
A pilot initiative found that home blood pressure monitoring improved hypertension control in 86% of patients. The study also showed significant cost savings from reduced office visits and emergency department costs.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics emphasizes the need for affordable treatment options for rare and ultra-rare diseases. Key recommendations include preventing abuses of the Orphan Drug Act and aligning drug packaging with dosing recommendations to reduce waste. The organization urges policymakers to develop simple,...
A new study published in JAMA Neurology shows that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion has reduced the number of young stroke survivors who stop taking their medications due to cost. The study found that nearly 31% of all stroke survivors aged 45-64 were covered by Medicaid, up from 24% in 2011-2013.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been associated with a decrease in cost-related nonadherence to medication among adult stroke survivors. This is primarily attributed to the increase in Medicaid coverage and subsequent reduction in uninsurance rates within this group.
Analysis of Medicare Part D spending reveals $925 million difference between brand-name combo drugs and using generic components. Prescriber education and substitution policies can help reduce costs by promoting generic substitution.
A recent study found that initiating potentially inappropriate medication is associated with a higher risk of fracture-specific hospitalizations and mortality. The study also revealed higher hospital costs, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing medication use in older adults.
The authors propose increasing incentives and modifying regulations to improve competition, redirecting overinvestment in new drug development to the generic market, and pivoting from short-term survival mode to long-term organized responses. These solutions aim to enhance competition, provide patients with reliable access to vital dru...
A study by CU Anschutz researchers found that US drug prices are not aligned with their value or net health benefits. The researchers used a forecasting model to calculate cost-effectiveness for commonly reimbursed cardiovascular drugs, revealing a wide spectrum of cost-effectiveness and varying price-to-health-gain ratios.
Researchers have developed a new method called matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) to compare the effectiveness of drugs with limited data, enabling more accurate reimbursement decisions. By analyzing patient characteristics, MAIC provides unbiased estimates of treatment effects, helping to optimize resource allocation.
A California-based bariatric center reduced postoperative complications, including rehospitalization and infections, despite increasing its surgical volume. The center's quality improvement project involved implementing standardized processes and educating staff to reduce bleeding and urinary tract infections.
A nationally representative survey suggests that Americans' view of marijuana use is more favorable than existing evidence supports, with many ascribing health benefits to marijuana despite insufficient evidence. The survey found extensive gaps in understanding the health effects and safety of marijuana use.
A UK-US post-Brexit trade deal could lead to increased drug prices in the UK, compromising the NHS's affordability and accessibility. The authors argue that the US's targeting of 'foreign free-riding' could result in a poor deal on pharmaceuticals for the UK.
Researchers found that people in the US seek abortion medications online due to barriers to clinical care, such as high costs and restrictive laws. The study also highlights the need for trusted online options to provide safe and effective medication abortion.
A GW researcher studied the potential of combining nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles with efinaconazole to improve onychomycosis treatment. The study found that this combo is more effective and has a lower cost than current treatments, opening doors for better regimens.
Research shows patients are more likely to fill prescriptions when they pay less for high-value medications, which can prevent costly health issues. This approach, called value-based insurance design, also leads to decreased spending elsewhere in the healthcare system.
The cost of Medicare Part D's 10 most expensive medications increased by 32% between 2011 and 2015, with some drugs costing over $90,000 for a full treatment. The number of patients using these medications also declined by 32%, from 12.9 million to 8.8 million.
Primary care providers report that the Healthy Michigan Plan has helped patients manage their health, detect problems early, and improve their ability to work and live independently. The plan's coverage has also led to better adherence to prescribed medicines and improved emotional well-being among patients.
A new study suggests that medication reconciliation programs can reduce risks of diabetes patients, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The program's effectiveness was associated with improved patient outcomes and decreased healthcare costs.
A new program has been shown to lower blood pressure in just 14 days, with participants seeing an average drop of 19 points. The Weimer Institute Newstart Lifestyle program aims to modify lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise to achieve this result.
Clinical Trials in a Dish (CTiD) offers a novel strategy to test drugs on patient cells before moving into actual clinical trials. CTiD studies have opened up new avenues for screening cell-based safety and toxicity at the population level, enabling efficient testing with reduced costs.
A quality improvement initiative at Boston Medical Center used non-pharmacologic approaches to care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome, resulting in decreased medication use, length of stay, and health care costs. The new approach included skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and parental presence, leading to significant imp...
A study found that extreme price competition in the generic pharmaceutical market leads to more manufacturing-related recalls, which may put patients at serious health risk. The researchers suggest that regulators and insurers should temper their pressure on pharmaceutical companies to bring prices down.
A study of 1280 older adults found that medication-related harm was common, affecting 1 in 3 patients post-hospital discharge, with 50% preventable. The cost to the NHS was estimated at £396 million, largely due to hospital readmissions.
A group of 21 physicians published a comprehensive proposal for universal access to safe, innovative, and affordable medications. The plan outlines seven critical areas for reform, including establishing national formularies, negotiating with manufacturers, and increasing transparency in clinical trials.
Leading experts recommend a novel pricing strategy to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations. States can leverage competition among drug manufacturers to save money while ensuring treatment for a larger share of the population.
Stopping expensive biological drugs for patients in remission or with low disease activity can save €7,133 per patient. This results in a small loss of 0.022 quality-adjusted life years and an increase in arthritis flares by 0.41 flares per year.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem create uniform method to separate right- from left-handed chiral molecules using magnets. This breakthrough technology has practical importance for producing better medicines and safer pesticides.
A new study by Vanderbilt researchers found that infants treated with medication as outpatients had a shorter hospital stay but longer treatment duration compared to inpatients. This highlights the need for a coordinated approach to treatment plans throughout pregnancy and childhood.
A new study by Gonzalo Romero and colleagues suggests that equal subsidies for gold-standard medications can be an effective way to promote their use. In the worst-case scenario, this approach still reaches at least half of treatments, while in better conditions, it may achieve up to 85% of maximum possible drug treatment outcomes.
A study published in Health Affairs found that generic options did not significantly reduce prices for the cancer therapy imatinib (Gleevec) after nearly two years of competition. The price drop was only 10 percent, which is significantly lower than expected estimates of 80 percent.
A former police chief and LEAP UK argue that harsher drug laws are ineffective in reducing violence and suggest a shift towards public health policies. They point to the failure of punitive approaches and highlight the need for regulation, taxation, support, and education.
A researcher at University of Houston is developing a customized motivational interviewing intervention to improve medication adherence among elderly patients with diabetes and high blood pressure. The three-year grant aims to identify barriers to adherence and develop tailored approaches to address them.
A new study analyzing patients with mixed drug abuse and endocarditis found a significant increase in hospitalizations over the last decade. The study estimated substantial healthcare costs, with a total of $17.3 million billed by the hospital in 2015 alone.
The study found that five to nine orphan medicines were available in ten European countries, while all ten medicines were only accessible in three countries: the Netherlands, Malta, and Poland. The availability of these medicines varied significantly across different countries.
To address escalating costs of targeted cancer drugs, a Penn-led group proposes three solutions: defining minimum clinically meaningful effect sizes for FDA approval, Medicare negotiating prices for targeted cancer drugs, and prioritizing effective treatments by clinical benefit and price. The recommendations aim to balance clinical be...
Researchers estimate that non-optimized medication therapy costs over half a trillion dollars annually, resulting from illness and death due to suboptimal treatment regimens. The study proposes expanding comprehensive medication management services to improve patient health and lower costs.