Articles tagged with Drug Costs
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 ...
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Scientists from RUDN University have developed a new way to synthesize 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives, including the active ingredient of genetic disorder treatment drugs. The new method simplifies production while reducing costs and enabling high-yield synthesis without expensive reagents.
A UK-wide PrEP programme would be cost-effective, preventing up to one in four HIV cases. The study estimates savings of up to £1 billion over 80 years as a result of fewer men needing lifelong HIV treatment.
A study found that Quebec's system increased access to medicines for working population but came at a cost of $200 more per person than the rest of Canada. The private-public model disproportionately affects low-income individuals and families, with premiums exceeding three percent of household income.
Scientists used fMRI to study the neurological causes of the nocebo effect, finding that brain regions can influence primal pain sensing. People who believed they were receiving an expensive cream reported greater sensitivity on a heat-tolerance test and experienced more pronounced nocebo effects over time.
Researchers have designed a smart bandage that can deliver customized medication to promote better, faster healing of chronic wounds. The bandage uses electrically conductive fibers coated in a gel to release medications tailored to specific types of wounds.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the cost of compounded medication to prevent preterm births is significantly lower than the brand-name version. The analysis showed that the compounded form costs an average of $206 per pregnancy, compared to $10,917 for the brand-name version.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that ivermectin, a medication for parasitic infections, also has an anti-tumor effect on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. The gene target KPNB1 was identified as having oncogenic properties, and its inhibition induced apoptosis in EOC cells.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that only 30.9% of patients prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors ever received therapy, largely due to copay costs and prior authorization processes. Patients with governmental insurance and those filled at specialty pharmacies were more likely to be approved.
Weight loss of around 15 kg can reverse type 2 diabetes, extending life expectancy and reducing healthcare costs. However, remission is rarely recorded due to lack of agreed criteria and guidance.
A study by UNC researchers found that the cost of a generic oral chemotherapy treatment was $2,328 last year, which is 36% lower than the projected branded drug price in 2016. However, the savings are modest compared to other generic drugs, and brand-name drug prices have increased over time.
A recent study analyzed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings for 10 companies developing a cancer drug from 2006 through 2015, estimating a median time of 7.3 years to develop the drug and a median cost of $648 million.
A recent study found that a high-priced drug called Acthar drove up Medicare expenditures by over $1 billion, despite lacking evidence of greater efficacy. The majority of spending was attributed to a small group of frequent prescribers, who may be subject to conflicts of interest from aggressive marketing.
Research in the UK found that people with disabilities face significant hurdles accessing healthcare services, with disabled women being disproportionately disadvantaged. Long waiting lists and cost of treatment were major obstacles, affecting over one-fourth of those with severe disabilities.
The conference emphasizes that hepatitis C elimination is impossible without prioritizing people who use drugs, as they account for 8% of those living with chronic hepatitis C. New treatments have sparked hope for a world free of the disease, but testing and treatment remain low in many countries.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that reference pricing is effective in reducing patient spending on prescription drugs. The policy promotes the use of cheaper alternatives over brand-name options, resulting in a 7% increase in prescriptions filled for low-price reference drugs and a 14% decrease in average price paid.
A study published in JAMA Network finds that newer LDL-C reducing drugs are not cost-effective at current prices. To meet cost-effectiveness thresholds, prices would need to be reduced by more than two-thirds, according to a recent trial finding that these drugs reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A Yale University study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment was the most cost-effective approach for individuals screening positive for opioid addiction. The treatment resulted in lower healthcare costs and better patient outcomes compared to referral alone or brief intervention with facilitated referral.
A high-intensity exercise program combined with a diet plan resulted in improved blood glucose levels among adults with type 2 diabetes. The study found that 73.5% of lifestyle participants required fewer glucose-lowering medications, compared to 26.4% in the standard care group.