Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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.
A study published in CMAJ Open found that use of the program increased three-fold and total government spending rose by 735 percent, with a significant increase in biologic drug claims. The rise in high-cost medications, including biologics, is seen as a major factor contributing to the growth of the program.
A new University of Bath project seeks to reduce injection errors, aiming for a 35% decrease in mistakes. The research, led by Dr Matthew Jones, will test modified guidance on nurses to improve patient safety and potentially save NHS time and money.
The US spent nearly twice as much on medical care as other high-income countries, but performed less well on population health outcomes. The main drivers of spending differences were pharmaceuticals, devices, and administrative costs.
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that African-American men who received frequent monitoring and medication management from a specially-trained pharmacist in their barbershop saw a marked drop in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure dropping by an average of 21 mm Hg. The ...
A study found that reducing co-payments for patients with heart attack medication improved both patient and physician adherence to recommended treatment. The study also found no significant differences in rates of death, heart attack, or stroke between groups.
Researchers found that offsetting medication costs with vouchers increased the use of effective anti-platelet drugs among heart attack survivors. Despite improved adherence, clinical outcomes such as death and stroke rates remained unchanged.
A new poll of older Americans reveals that many see a mismatch between what they need and what their doctors prescribe. The study suggests improving communication could reduce unnecessary tests, screenings, medications, and procedures. Healthcare providers may have more leeway to deny services that hold little value for certain patients.
The research aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of LHSC's personalized medicine program, which uses pharmacogenomics to predict patient responses to medications. The study will compare patient outcomes with those in the province using provincial health care data.
Researchers developed a one-step, efficient method to remove Diazepam from wastewater using titanium dioxide nanofibers. The process is designed for municipal treatment plants, promising faster, lower-cost treatment.
A global study found that treating multiple chronic diseases is putting a significant financial burden on countries' health systems and individuals. Patients with multimorbidity often face high out-of-pocket costs, leading to non-adherence to prescribed medicines.
Researchers found that more than one in ten stroke survivors struggle to afford recommended medications, despite increased Medicaid coverage. The percentage of young stroke patients unable to obtain necessary medications due to cost concerns remained largely unchanged between 2010 and 2015.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that only two out of six essential medicines were easily available in private pharmacies, with many more listed in Indian databases but unaffordable. The study calls for a review of available brands and the setting up of a centralized database to address inadequate access to essential medicines.
A new study finds that the 340B Drug Pricing Program, aimed at boosting resources for hospitals treating low-income patients, has not delivered on its promise. Instead, participating hospitals have administered more lucrative drugs and treated more Medicare patients in certain specialties, but failed to invest profits in safety net cli...
A US study estimates that 90 million cases of waterborne illnesses occur each year through recreational activities, costing $2.9 billion annually. The most common illnesses are gastrointestinal and respiratory in nature, with adults aged 20-54 experiencing mild illness and children under 10 experiencing moderate illness.
A new micro-needle patch has shown promise in laboratory trials for reducing bulging tummy fats by turning energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat. The patch reduces weight gain and fat mass in mice on a high-fat diet over four weeks.
A study found that high out-of-pocket costs for oral cancer medications lead to prescription abandonment, even among those with insurance. Patients faced with costs over $2,000 were more likely to abandon their prescriptions, highlighting the need for strategies to improve patient access.
A recent study published in Oncotarget found that cancer drug affordability is correlated with wealth, with the US having the highest average monthly price per patented drug. This has led to a financial burden on both society and patients, with individuals diagnosed with cancer being 2.7 times more likely to declare bankruptcy.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science proposes a new regulatory approach for fecal transplant treatments. Stool banks would be required to report patient outcomes, while doctors and laboratories could distribute stool for CDI treatment at their discretion.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that personalized blood glucose goals can save an estimated $234 billion nationwide over time, mainly due to lower medication costs. The approach also improves quality of life compared to uniform intensive control.
The $125,000-per-dose cost of the drug nusinersen poses barriers for many patients with spinal muscular atrophy, who may not have access to it due to insurance restrictions. Early treatment is crucial for halting muscle degeneration, but unequal access to the medication raises ethical concerns about fairness and decision-making.
A cost analysis shows that individualized blood sugar goals for diabetes patients can save more than $13,500 over a lifetime compared to uniform national recommendations. Lower medication costs are the primary factor in these savings.
A recent study found that less than one-third of glaucoma patients discuss medication costs with their doctor. High costs are a significant barrier to adherence, and doctors should consider discussing medication costs during visits to prompt a discussion. The study analyzed video recordings of 275 office visits and suggested further re...
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that consumers are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior, such as shoplifting or piracy, if they perceive a company as harming the environment or people. This effect occurs even when consumers have not personally had a bad experience with the company.
A new Canadian guideline recommends using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) to prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals. The strategies are estimated to be cost-effective and may increase access to care.
A study of people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) found that effectiveness and adverse events are top concerns when choosing treatment. Patients are willing to trade off some drug efficacy for reduced risk of serious side effects, but out-of-pocket costs can significantly influence their choices.
A study of 62,070 hospitalized heart patients found that only 30.1% were on statins three years after discharge, highlighting a significant treatment gap. Reasons for non-adherence included cost, lack of follow-up screenings, and prior diagnosis before starting the medication.
A new microdose delivery system achieved comparable treatment effect to conventional eyedrops while delivering less than four times the amount of drug, reducing eye exposure by 75-80%. Microdosing reduced side effects, leading to gentler treatment for patients with glaucoma and other eye diseases.
State cancer drug parity laws have had a mixed impact on treatment costs, with modest improvements for many patients and increased monthly out-of-pocket costs for others. The laws aim to ensure that oral cancer treatments are not more costly than infusions, but they may not fully address affordability concerns.
A 12-week course of hepatitis C drugs can be manufactured for just $50, making it cheaper than a plane ticket on many low-cost airlines. Generic copies are as effective as branded medicines, but restrictions and patent issues prevent widespread access.
Doctors in the north east of England are facing legal action from pharmaceutical companies for offering patients a safer and effective but cheaper alternative to a licensed drug. The cheaper option, bevacizumab, could save the NHS up to £13.5m a year within the next five years.
A recent study found that US cancer drug costs increased substantially after launch, with prices rising by 37% over 12 years. The research team analyzed the monthly price trajectories of 24 FDA-approved cancer drugs and discovered no correlation between price changes and market structure or competition.
A nationwide review found that only 47% of patients were approved for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, with the highest approval rates for Medicare and lowest for private insurance. The study suggests that better education and uniform guidelines are needed to reduce administrative waste.
A study of 1.7 million people found that 37% had high blood pressure, with only 5.7% having the condition under control. The study also revealed low treatment rates and ineffective treatments, highlighting the need for a national hypertension strategy.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that physicians who received pharmaceutical gifts prescribed more branded drugs and had higher costs per claim. The study, which analyzed data from Medicare Part D prescriber reports, suggests that even small gifts can influence prescribing behavior.
A new analysis from the RAND Corporation estimates that biosimilar drugs could reduce healthcare spending in the US by $54 billion over the next decade. This is largely due to increased competition and regulatory changes, which will drive down prices and improve access to biologic drugs.