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Gaudette É, Rizzardo S, Zhang Y, Pothier KR, Tadrous M. Cost-effectiveness of the top 100 drugs by public spending in Canada, 2015-2021: a repeated cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082568. [PMID: 38485176 PMCID: PMC10941152 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the distribution and spending by cost-effectiveness category among those drugs with the highest public spending levels in Canada. DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional study. SETTING The Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Cost-effectiveness assessments by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) for top-100 brand-name outpatient drugs by gross public plan spending in any year between 2015 and 2021 in Canada Institute for Health Information's National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System data. Gross public plan spending by cost-effectiveness category. RESULTS From 2015 to 2021, 152 brand-name drugs occupied a top-100 rank and were included in the analysis. Of those, 117 had been assessed by CADTH. During the 7-year period, there was an increase in both top-100 drugs with cost-effective (from 18 to 24) and cost-ineffective (from 29 to 41) assessments, while drugs not assessed or with an unclear assessment declined (from 31 to 19 and from 22 to 16, respectively). As a share of spending on top-100 drugs with an assessment, spending on cost-effective drugs was mostly stable at 40%-46% from 2015 to 2021, while spending on cost-ineffective drugs increased from 30% to 45%. CONCLUSION A large and growing share of public drug spending has been allocated to cost-ineffective drugs in Canada. Dedicating large budgets to such treatments prevents spending with greater health impact elsewhere in the healthcare system and could restrain the capacity to pay for groundbreaking pharmaceutical innovation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Policy and Economics Analysis Branch, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shirin Rizzardo
- Policy and Economics Analysis Branch, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yvonne Zhang
- Policy and Economics Analysis Branch, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin R Pothier
- Policy and Economics Analysis Branch, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto - St George Campus, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Santhireswaran A, Chu C, Kim KC, Gaudette É, Burry L, Clement F, Suda K, Tadrous M. Early observations of Tier-3 drug shortages on purchasing trends across Canada: A cross-sectional analysis of 3 case-example drugs. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293497. [PMID: 38127996 PMCID: PMC10734939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To curb the growing impact of drug shortages, Health Canada developed the Tiered Notification and Communication Framework which assigns potential shortages a corresponding tiered status. Tier-3 is assigned to shortages with the greatest potential impact on the healthcare system. This study aims to describe drug purchasing trends in response to Tier-3 shortages using three case-examples. METHODS We conducted a time-series analysis of monthly purchasing data for three out of 17 Tier-3 drug shortages (hydralazine, sarilumab, and medroxyprogesterone acetate) with publicly available reports in July 2021 and available IQVIA MIDAS data from January 2016 to December 2021. We assessed percent changes in purchasing at 1-, 3-, and 6-months after the onset of each Tier-3 drug shortage and interventional ARIMA modelling was used to assess the statistical significance. RESULTS Medroxyprogesterone acetate experienced a significant shift (p = 0.0370) in purchasing following its shortage, and the 1-, 3-, and 6-month percent changes were +14.9%, +6.8% and -3.1%, respectively. Hydralazine and sarilumab did not show a significant shift. The 1-, 3-, and 6-month percent changes for hydralazine were +15.5%, +10.2%, and +9.6% respectively and +25.2%, +45.1% and +39.2 for sarilumab. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that drugs assigned a Tier-3 status may not show declines in purchasing in the months following status assignment, which may be due to policy responses following the assignment. However, more insight is needed into the mechanisms through which these policy measures impact shortages and whether they are functioning as intended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cherry Chu
- Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Callaway Kim
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa Burry
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fiona Clement
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katie Suda
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mina Tadrous
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Gaudette É, Rizzardo S, Wladyka SB, Rahman T, Pothier KR. Le Canada manque-t-il le bateau? Un inventaire des médicaments approuvés à l’international entre 2016 et 2020 qui n’ont pas été soumis à Santé Canada. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1161-E1167. [PMID: 37669791 PMCID: PMC10480002 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230339-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institut des politiques, de la gestion et de l'évaluation de la santé (Gaudette); Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont.
| | - Shirin Rizzardo
- Institut des politiques, de la gestion et de l'évaluation de la santé (Gaudette); Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Sasha B Wladyka
- Institut des politiques, de la gestion et de l'évaluation de la santé (Gaudette); Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Tuhin Rahman
- Institut des politiques, de la gestion et de l'évaluation de la santé (Gaudette); Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Kevin R Pothier
- Institut des politiques, de la gestion et de l'évaluation de la santé (Gaudette); Université de Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Conseil d'examen du prix des médicaments brevetés (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
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4
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Gaudette É, Rizzardo S, Wladyka SB, Rahman T, Pothier KR. Is Canada missing out? An assessment of drugs approved internationally between 2016 and 2020 and not submitted for Health Canada review. CMAJ 2023; 195:E815-E820. [PMID: 37308215 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.230339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (Gaudette), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont.
| | - Shirin Rizzardo
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (Gaudette), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Sasha B Wladyka
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (Gaudette), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Tuhin Rahman
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (Gaudette), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Kevin R Pothier
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (Gaudette), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (Gaudette, Rizzardo, Wladyka, Rahman, Pothier), Ottawa, Ont
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5
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Gaudette É, Bhattacharya J. California Hospitals' Rapidly Declining Traditional Medicare Operating Margins. Forum Health Econ Policy 2023; 26:1-12. [PMID: 36880485 DOI: 10.1515/fhep-2022-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, Medicare margins of U.S. short-term acute care hospitals participating in the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) have declined nationally by over 10 percentage points, from 2.2% in 2002 to -8.7% in 2019. This trend conceals critical regional variations, with recent studies documenting particularly low and negative margins in metropolitan areas with higher labor costs despite geographic adjustments by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In this article, we describe recent trends in California hospitals' traditional fee-for-service Medicare operating margins compared to hospital operating margins across payers and changes in the CMS hospital wage index (HWI) used to adjust Medicare payments. We conduct an observational study of audited financial reports of IPPS-participating California hospitals using California Department of Health Care Access and Information and CMS data for years 2005-2020 (n = 4429 reports included in the analysis). We describe trends in financial measures by payer and investigate associations between HWI and traditional Medicare margins, focusing on the pre-COVID period of 2005 through 2019. During that period, California hospitals' statewide traditional Medicare operating margin declined from -27 to -40%, and financial shortfalls in caring for fee-for-service Medicare patients more than doubled ($4.1 billion in 2005 to $8.5 billion in 2019, both values in 2019 dollars). Meanwhile, operating margins from commercial managed care patients increased from 21% in 2005 to 38% in 2019. There was a stable negative association between HWI and traditional Medicare operating margins throughout the period (p = 0.000 in 2005; p < 0.0001 in 2006-2020), indicating that areas of California with higher health care wages had persistently worse traditional Medicare operating margins than areas with lower wages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Jay Bhattacharya
- Stanford Health Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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6
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Gaudette É, Seabury SA, Temkin N, Barber J, DiGiorgio AM, Markowitz AJ, Manley GT. Employment and Economic Outcomes of Participants With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the TRACK-TBI Study. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2219444. [PMID: 35767257 PMCID: PMC9244609 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.19444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may impair the ability to work. Strategies to facilitate return to work are understudied. OBJECTIVE To assess employment and economic outcomes for employed, working-age adults with mTBI in the 12 months after injury and the association between return to work and employer assistance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Using data from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study, a cohort study of patients with mTBI presenting to emergency departments of 11 level I US trauma centers was performed. Patients with mTBI enrolled in the TRACK-TBI cohort study from February 26, 2014, to May 4, 2016, were followed up at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after injury. Work status and income decline of participants were documented in the first year after injury. Associations between work status, injury characteristics, and offer of employer assistance and associations between follow-up care and employer assistance were investigated. Results were adjusted for unobserved outcomes using inverse probability weighting. Data were extracted July 12, 2020; analyses were completed March 24, 2021. Analyses included 435 participants aged 18 to 64 years who were working before the injury, had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 to 15, and completed all postinjury follow-up surveys. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcomes were work status (working or not working) at each study follow-up milestone. Employer assistance included sick leave, reduced hours, modified schedule, transfer to different tasks, assistive technology, and coaching offered during the first 3 months after injury. RESULTS Of 435 participants (147 [34%] female; 320 [74%] White; mean [SD] age 37.3 [12.9] years), 258 (59%) reported not working at 2 weeks after injury and 74 (17%) reported not working at 12 months after injury. More than one-fifth (92 [21%]) experienced a decline in annual income. Work status at 12 months was significantly associated with postconcussion symptoms experienced at 3 months after injury (73% of patients with 3 or more symptoms reported working at 12 months after injury vs 89% of patients with 2 or fewer symptoms; P < .001) but not with other injury characteristics. Participants offered employer assistance in the first 3 months after injury were more likely to report working after injury than those not offered such assistance (at 6 months: 88% vs 78%; P = .02; at 12 months: 86% vs 72%; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, mTBI was associated with substantial employment and economic consequences for some patients. Clinicians should systematically follow up with patients with mTBI and coordinate with employers to promote successful return to work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seth A. Seabury
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Nancy Temkin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jason Barber
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Anthony M. DiGiorgio
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
| | - Amy J. Markowitz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
| | - Geoffrey T. Manley
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
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7
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Abstract
Using data from the Drug Shortages Canada website, we ask whether the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were associated with a significant increase in drug shortages in Canada. We find an increase of 147 shortages (32 percent) reported by manufacturers during March and April 2020 relative to the same months in previous years. The upsurge was concentrated during the two-week period from 25 March to 7 April 2020, after which report counts returned to usual levels. Excess reports cite both supply-side and demand-side causes for shortages. Increases were noted in therapeutic classes associated with COVID-19 care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
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8
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Abstract
Over the past decade, the number of studies examining the effects of health insurance has grown rapidly, along with the breadth of outcomes considered. In light of growing research in this area and the intense policy focus on coverage expansions in the United States, there is need for an up-to-date and comprehensive literature review and synthesis of lessons learned. We reviewed 112 experimental or quasi-experimental studies on the effects of health insurance prior to people becoming eligible for Medicare on a broad set of outcomes. Over the past decade, evidence related to the effect of increased access to health insurance has strengthened, illuminating that children and vulnerable adults are most likely to see health and economic benefits. We identified promising areas for future study in this active and burgeoning research area, noting benefit design of health insurance and outcomes such as government program participation and self-reported health status as targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gwyn C. Pauley
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Wisconson, Madison, WI, USA
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9
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Seabury SA, Gaudette É, Goldman DP, Markowitz AJ, Brooks J, McCrea MA, Okonkwo DO, Manley GT. Assessment of Follow-up Care After Emergency Department Presentation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion: Results From the TRACK-TBI Study. JAMA Netw Open 2018; 1:e180210. [PMID: 30646055 PMCID: PMC6324305 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects millions of Americans each year. Lack of consistent clinical practice raises concern that many patients with mTBI may not receive adequate follow-up care. OBJECTIVE To characterize the provision of follow-up care to patients with mTBI during the first 3 months after injury. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study used data on patients with mTBI enrolled in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study between February 26, 2014, and August 25, 2016. We examined site-specific variations in follow-up care, the types of clinicians seen by patients receiving follow-up care, and patient and injury characteristics associated with a higher likelihood of receiving follow-up care. The TRACK-TBI study is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal observational study of patients with TBI presenting to the emergency department of 1 of 11 level I US trauma centers. Study data included patients with head trauma who underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan within 24 hours of injury, had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 to 15, were aged 17 years or older, and completed follow-up care surveys at 2 weeks and 3 months after injury (N = 831). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Follow-up care was defined as hospitals providing TBI educational material at discharge, hospitals calling patients to follow up, and patients seeing a physician or other medical practitioner within 3 months after the injury. Unfavorable outcomes were assessed with the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. RESULTS Of 831 patients (289 [35%] female; 483 [58%] non-Hispanic white; mean [SD] age, 40.3 [16.9] years), less than half self-reported receiving TBI educational material at discharge (353 patients [42%]) or seeing a physician or other health care practitioner within 3 months after injury (367 patients [44%]). Follow-up care varied by study site; adjusting for patient characteristics, the provision of educational material varied from 19% to 72% across sites. Of 236 patients with a positive finding on a CT scan, 92 (39%) had not seen a medical practitioner 3 months after the injury. Adjusting for injury severity and demographics, patient admission to the hospital ward or intensive care unit, patient income, and insurance status were not associated with the probability of seeing a medical practitioner. Among the patients with 3 or more moderate to severe postconcussive symptoms, only 145 of 279 (52%) reported having seen a medical practitioner by 3 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE There are gaps in follow-up care for patients with mTBI after hospital discharge, even those with a positive finding on CT or who continue to experience postconcussive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth A. Seabury
- Department of Ophthalmology and Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Dana P. Goldman
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | | | - Jordan Brooks
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - David O. Okonkwo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Geoffrey T. Manley
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
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10
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Cheng WH, Gaudette É, Goldman DP. PCSK9 Inhibitors Show Value for Patients and the US Health Care System. Value Health 2017; 20:1270-1278. [PMID: 29241886 PMCID: PMC5929151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as cholesterol-lowering therapies for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES To estimate the long-term health and economic value of PCSK9 inhibitors for Americans (51 years and older). METHODS We conducted simulations using the Future Elderly Model, an established dynamic microsimulation model to project the lifetime outcomes for the US population aged 51 years and older. Health effects estimates and confidence intervals from published meta-analysis studies were used to project changes in life expectancy, quality-adjusted life-years, and lifetime medical spending resulting from the use of PCSK9 inhibitors. We considered two treatment scenarios: 1) current FDA eligibility and 2) an extended eligibility scenario that includes patients with no pre-existing cardiovascular disease but at high risk. We assumed that the price of PCSK9 inhibitors was discounted by 35% in the first 12 years and by 57% thereafter, with gradual uptake of the drug in eligible populations. RESULTS Use of PCSK9 inhibitors by individuals covered by current FDA approval would extend life expectancy at the age of 51 years by an estimated 1.1 years and would yield a lifetime net value of $5800 per person. If use was extended to those at high risk for cardiovascular disease, PCSK9 inhibitors would generate a lifetime net benefit of $14,100 per person. CONCLUSIONS Expanded access to PCSK9 inhibitors would offer positive long-term net value for patients and the US health care system at the current discounted prices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Han Cheng
- Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California Price School and School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California Price School and School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dana P Goldman
- Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California Price School and School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Agus DB, Gaudette É, Goldman DP, Messali A. The Long-Term Benefits of Increased Aspirin Use by At-Risk Americans Aged 50 and Older. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166103. [PMID: 27902693 PMCID: PMC5130201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The usefulness of aspirin to defend against cardiovascular disease in both primary and secondary settings is well recognized by the medical profession. Multiple studies also have found that daily aspirin significantly reduces cancer incidence and mortality. Despite these proven health benefits, aspirin use remains low among populations targeted by cardiovascular prevention guidelines. This article seeks to determine the long-term economic and population-health impact of broader use of aspirin by older Americans at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND FINDINGS We employ the Future Elderly Model, a dynamic microsimulation that follows Americans aged 50 and older, to project their lifetime health and spending under the status quo and in various scenarios of expanded aspirin use. The model is based primarily on data from the Health and Retirement Study, a large, representative, national survey that has been ongoing for more than two decades. Outcomes are chosen to provide a broad perspective of the individual and societal impacts of the interventions and include: heart disease, stroke, cancer, life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, disability-free life expectancy, and medical costs. Eligibility for increased aspirin use in simulations is based on the 2011-2012 questionnaire on preventive aspirin use of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. These data reveal a large unmet need for daily aspirin, with over 40% of men and 10% of women aged 50 to 79 presenting high cardiovascular risk but not taking aspirin. We estimate that increased use by high-risk older Americans would improve national life expectancy at age 50 by 0.28 years (95% CI 0.08-0.50) and would add 900,000 people (95% CI 300,000-1,400,000) to the American population by 2036. After valuing the quality-adjusted life-years appropriately, Americans could expect $692 billion (95% CI 345-975) in net health benefits over that period. CONCLUSIONS Expanded use of aspirin by older Americans with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease could generate substantial population health benefits over the next twenty years and do so very cost-effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. Agus
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and Viterbi School of Engineering, Beverly Hills, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California Price School and School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Dana P. Goldman
- Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California Price School and School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew Messali
- Analysis Group, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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12
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Goldman DP, Gaudette É, Cheng WH. Competing Risks: Investing in Sickness Rather Than Health. Am J Prev Med 2016; 50:S45-S50. [PMID: 27102858 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dana P Goldman
- Leonard D. Schaeffer for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Étienne Gaudette
- Leonard D. Schaeffer for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Wei-Han Cheng
- Leonard D. Schaeffer for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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13
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Abstract
On Medicare's 50th anniversary, we use the Future Elderly Model (FEM) - a microsimulation model of health and economic outcomes for older Americans - to generate a snapshot of changing Medicare demographics and spending between 2010 and 2030. During this period, the baby boomers, who began turning 65 and aging into Medicare in 2011, will drive Medicare demographic changes, swelling the estimated US population aged 65 or older from 39.7 million to 67.0 million. Among the risks for Medicare sustainability, the size of the elderly population in the future likely will have the highest impact on spending but is easiest to forecast. Population health and the proportion of the future elderly with disabilities are more uncertain, though tools such as the FEM can provide reasonable forecasts to guide policymakers. Finally, medical technology breakthroughs and their effect on longevity are most uncertain and perhaps riskiest. Policymakers will need to keep these risks in mind if Medicare is to be sustained for another 50 years. Policymakers may also want to monitor the equity of Medicare financing amid signs that the program's progressivity is declining, resulting in higher-income people benefiting relatively more from Medicare than lower-income people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- University of Southern California, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bryan Tysinger
- University of Southern California, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alwyn Cassil
- Policy Translation, LLC, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Dana P Goldman
- University of Southern California, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Abstract
CONTEXT Obesity impacts both individual health and, given its high prevalence, total health care spending. However, as medical technology evolves, health outcomes for a number of obesity-related illnesses improve. This article examines whether medical innovation can mitigate the adverse health and spending associated with obesity, using statins as a case study. Because of the relationship between obesity and hypercholesterolaemia, statins play an important role in the medical management of obese individuals and the prevention of costly obesity-related sequelae. METHODS Using well-recognized estimates of the health impact of statins and the Future Elderly Model (FEM)-an established dynamic microsimulation model of the health of Americans aged over 50 years-we estimate the changes in life expectancy, functional status and health care costs of obesity due to the introduction and widespread use of statins. RESULTS Life expectancy gains of statins are estimated to be 5-6 % greater for obese individuals than for healthy-weight individuals, but most of these additional gains are associated with some level of disability. Considering both medical spending and the value of quality-adjusted life-years, statins do not significantly alter the costs of class 1 and 2 obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 and ≥35 kg/m(2), respectively) and they increase the costs of class 3 obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m(2)) by 1.2 %. CONCLUSIONS Although statins are very effective medications for lowering the risk of obesity-associated illnesses, they do not significantly reduce the costs of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Gaudette
- Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, Suite 210, Los Angeles, California, 90089-3333, USA,
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