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This cross-sectional study examines trends in US prescription fills for semaglutide products by payment method between January 2021 and December 2023.
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Péptidos Similares al Glucagón , Hipoglucemiantes , Humanos , Péptidos Similares al Glucagón/uso terapéutico , Péptidos Similares al Glucagón/economía , Hipoglucemiantes/economía , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Estados Unidos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/economíaRESUMEN
This study examines whether policies that reduce prescribing barriers may improve access to emergency contraceptives, particularly ulipristal.
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Anticonceptivos Poscoito , Prescripciones de Medicamentos , Farmacias , Órdenes Permanentes , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Adulto Joven , Anticoncepción Postcoital/métodos , Anticoncepción Postcoital/estadística & datos numéricos , Anticonceptivos Poscoito/provisión & distribución , Massachusetts , Embarazo no Deseado , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/organización & administración , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicamentos sin Prescripción/provisión & distribución , Prescripciones de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Farmacias/organización & administración , Farmacias/estadística & datos numéricos , Levonorgestrel/provisión & distribución , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Despite their importance in reducing maternal mortality, information on access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is limited. METHODS: A standardized assessment tool measuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines included in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) was implemented in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia) between 2020-2021. The assessment focused on five access measures: 1) the inclusion of medicines in national family planning guidelines; 2) inclusion of medicines in comprehensive abortion care guidelines; 3) inclusion of medicines on national essential medicines lists; 4) medicines registration; and 5) procurement and forecasting of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines. A descriptive analysis of findings from these eight national assessments was conducted. RESULTS: Only Lebanon and Pakistan included all 12 contraceptives that are enlisted in the WHO-EML within their national family planning guidelines. Only Afghanistan and Lebanon included mifepristone and mifepristone-misoprostol combination in post-abortion care guidelines, but these medicines were not included in their national EMLs. Libya and Somalia lacked a national regulatory authority for medicines registration. Most contraceptives included on the national EMLs for Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan were registered. Misoprostol was included on the EMLs-and registered-in six countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Pakistan). However, only three countries procured misoprostol (Iraq, Morocco, and Somalia). CONCLUSION: These findings can guide efforts aimed at improving the availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Opportunities include expanding national EMLs to include more options for Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines and strengthening the registration and procurement systems to ensure these medicines' availability were permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable.
Ensuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines is critical to improving women's health, and more specifically reducing maternal mortality and improving women's sexual and reproductive health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.The aim of this study was to analyse findings from national assessments to capture information on the implementation of relevant policies and procedures. Those were the policies that ensure access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the public sector for the eight Eastern Mediterranean Region countries included in the study (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia). The assessments were completed between 2020 and 2021.We found that most countries did not include all twelve contraceptives enlisted in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) in their national family planning guidelines. No country had developed a national abortion care guidelines nor included mifepristone (alone or in combination with misoprostol) on national EML. Libya and Somalia lacked a national regulatory authority for medicines registration. Most contraceptives included on the national EMLs for Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan were registered. Misoprostol was included on the EMLsand registeredin six countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Pakistan) yet, only three countries procured misoprostol (Iraq, Morocco, and Somalia).Our findings provide evidence on system-level barriers to availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines (e.g., lack of guidelines or inclusion on EML, lack of registration and procurement) that can support policy and advocacy efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector to better ensure availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines to women in reproductive age at the country-level in accordance with the national law and prevailing culture.
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Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Mifepristona , Misoprostol , Misoprostol/provisión & distribución , Misoprostol/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Femenino , Mifepristona/provisión & distribución , Mifepristona/administración & dosificación , Región Mediterránea , Anticonceptivos/provisión & distribución , Medio Oriente , Aborto Inducido/estadística & datos numéricos , Aborto Inducido/métodos , Embarazo , Servicios de Planificación Familiar/normasRESUMEN
Importance: The US Supreme Court Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision allowed states to strengthen restrictions on abortion access, triggering the closure of family planning clinics and leading to confusion about the legality of emergency contraceptives (ECs). Objectives: To evaluate the association between the Dobbs decision and fills for oral and emergency contraceptives in states that enacted the most restrictive abortion policies after Dobbs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data on contraceptive fills for women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the US from IQVIA's National Prescription Audit PayerTrak and data from the Guttmacher Institute were used to categorize changes in abortion restrictions in each state. A difference-in-differences analysis compared changes in monthly fill rates for daily oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and ECs in states that became most restrictive (implemented a full abortion ban after Dobbs) and comparison states (kept a medium level of abortion restrictions after Dobbs) before (March 2021 to November 2021) and after (July 2022 to October 2023) the Dobbs decision. Exposure: State-level abortion restrictions. Main Outcomes and Measures: Monthly fills of OCPs and ECs per 100â¯000 women of reproductive age. Results: Between March 2021 and October 2023, 142.8 million prescriptions for OCPs and 904â¯269 prescriptions for ECs were dispensed at US retail pharmacies. Before Dobbs, trends in monthly fill rates were similar for OCPs and ECs between the most restrictive and comparison states. After the Dobbs decision, states that became the most restrictive experienced an additional 4.1% decline in OCP fills with 285.9 fewer fills per 100â¯000 (95% CI, -495.8 to -6.8; P = .04). In contrast to OCPs, fills for ECs increased during the first year after Dobbs (July 2022 to June 2023) in both groups of states. However, 1 year after Dobbs (July 2023 to October 2023), the most restrictive states experienced an additional 65% decrease in emergency contraceptive fills with 13.2 fewer fills per 100â¯000 (95% CI, -27.2 to -4.1; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of prescriptions filled at US pharmacies, the Dobbs decision was associated with declines in oral contraceptives, particularly ECs, in states enacting the most restrictive abortion policies. Given the important role of OCPs and ECs in preventing pregnancy and the need for abortion, efforts to improve access may be needed, especially in states where legal abortion is no longer an option.
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Anticonceptivos Poscoito , Decisiones de la Corte Suprema , Humanos , Femenino , Estados Unidos , Adulto , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , Anticonceptivos Poscoito/uso terapéutico , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anticonceptivos Orales/uso terapéutico , Aborto Inducido/legislación & jurisprudencia , Aborto Inducido/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios de Cohortes , Embarazo , Anticoncepción Postcoital/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
The impact of schools closing for in-person instruction in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of prescription medications is not known. In this study, we examined changes in the total prescriptions filled, specifically for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, among school-aged children and adolescents aged 10-19 years during periods before and after complete school closures between October 2019 and September 2022. Our findings indicate that complete school closures were associated with declines in the use of ADHD medications among younger populations in the USA. These findings suggest that the underuse of ADHD medications may be an overlooked contributor to declines in academic performance observed during periods of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad , COVID-19 , Instituciones Académicas , Humanos , Adolescente , COVID-19/epidemiología , Niño , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Masculino , Femenino , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/tratamiento farmacológico , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , SARS-CoV-2 , Adulto Joven , Pandemias , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/provisión & distribución , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/uso terapéutico , Prescripciones de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
This cross-sectional study uses data from retail pharmacies to examine shingles vaccine uptake among Medicare Part D beneficiaries following an IRA policy to eliminate cost sharing.
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Seguro de Costos Compartidos , Vacuna contra el Herpes Zóster , Herpes Zóster , Medicare Part D , Anciano , Humanos , Seguro de Costos Compartidos/economía , Herpes Zóster/prevención & control , Vacuna contra el Herpes Zóster/economía , Medicare Part D/economía , Medicare Part D/legislación & jurisprudencia , Estados Unidos , Vacunación/economía , Vacunación/legislación & jurisprudenciaRESUMEN
Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and prescribed central nervous system (CNS) active drugs to treat them are prevalent among persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (PLWD) and lead to negative outcomes for PLWD and their caregivers. Yet, little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in diagnosis and use of drugs to treat BPSD. Objective: Quantify racial/ethnic disparities in BPSD diagnoses and CNS-active drug use among community-dwelling PLWD. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort of community-dwelling Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries with dementia, continuously enrolled in Parts A, B and D, 2017-2019. Multivariate logistic models estimated rates of BPSD diagnosis and, conditional on diagnosis, CNS-active drug use. Results: Among PLWD, 67.1% had diagnoses of an affective, psychosis or hyperactivity symptom. White (68.3%) and Hispanic (63.9%) PLWD were most likely, Blacks (56.6%) and Asians (52.7%) least likely, to have diagnoses. Among PLWD with BPSD diagnoses, 78.6% took a CNS-active drug. Use was highest among whites (79.3%) and Hispanics (76.2%) and lowest among Blacks (70.8%) and Asians (69.3%). Racial/ethnic differences in affective disorders were pronounced, 56.8% of white PLWD diagnosed; Asians had the lowest rates (37.8%). Similar differences were found in use of antidepressants. Conclusions: BPSD diagnoses and CNS-active drug use were common in our study. Lower rates of BPSD diagnoses in non-white compared to white populations may indicate underdiagnosis in clinical settings of treatable conditions. Clinicians' review of prescriptions in this population to reduce poor outcomes is important as is informing care partners on the risks/benefits of using CNS-active drugs.
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Demencia , Medicare , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Demencia/psicología , Demencia/etnología , Demencia/diagnóstico , Anciano , Estudios Retrospectivos , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Etnicidad/psicología , Vida Independiente , Síntomas Conductuales/diagnóstico , Fármacos del Sistema Nervioso Central/uso terapéutico , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/etnologíaRESUMEN
Background: Prasugrel, first approved in 2009, was subject to a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) to mitigate the risk of bleeding associated with its use. Methods: We performed a narrative review of FDA documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Document classification and primary evidence extraction was performed by three authors (TM, JC, and SL). Results: The prasugrel REMS consists of a medication guide and a communication plan. Assessment of the REMS was via patient and clinician surveys. 1560 patients were invited to participate and 212 individuals (13.6 %) completed the survey. Rates of awareness among respondents varied across key messages and were highest for those examining the risks of premature discontinuation (96 % and 88 % of respondents), while lower for those regarding the importance of perioperative discontinuation (66 %) and contraindications posed by a history of stroke (16 %) or transient ischemic attack (17 %). Of the 6000 clinicians invited to participate in the survey, 201 (3.4 %) agreed to take part. Four of 11 key risk messages did not meet prespecified acceptable levels of comprehension. No prespecified levels of patient or provider knowledge were required for the retirement of the REMS, which took place on March 23, 2012 based on the sponsor's request. Conclusions: The prasugrel REMS consisted of passive educational materials whose adequacy was evaluated using highly limited, one-time, cross-sectional surveys. Our assessment adds to evidence suggesting the importance of improving the quality and impact of the FDA's post-approval activities to maximize drug safety.
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BACKGROUND: Poor neighborhood-level access to health care, including community pharmacies, contributes to cardiovascular disparities in the United States. The authors quantified the association between pharmacy proximity, antihypertensive and statin use, and blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) among a large, diverse US cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional analysis of Black and White participants in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study during 2013 to 2016 was conducted. The authors designated pharmacy proximity by census tract using road network analysis with population-weighted centroids within a 10-minute drive time, with 5- and 20-minute sensitivity analyses. Pill bottle review measured medication use, and BP and LDL-C were assessed using standard methods. Poisson regression was used to quantify the association between pharmacy proximity with medication use and BP control, and linear regression for LDL-C. Among 16 150 REGARDS participants between 2013 and 2016, 8319 (51.5%) and 8569 (53.1%) had an indication for antihypertensive and statin medication, respectively, and pharmacy proximity data. The authors did not find a consistent association between living in a census tract with higher pharmacy proximity and antihypertensive medication use, BP control, or statin medication use and LDL-C levels, regardless of whether the area was rural, suburban, or urban. Results were similar among the 5- and 20-minute drive-time analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Living in a low pharmacy proximity census tract may be associated with antihypertensive and statin medication use, or with BP control and LDL-C levels. Although, in this US cohort, outcomes were similar for adults living in high or low pharmacy proximity census tracts.
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Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas , Farmacias , Farmacia , Adulto , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Antihipertensivos/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Reductasas/efectos adversos , LDL-Colesterol , Estudios Transversales , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Considering that mail-order pharmacy use remains low in the United States, geographic accessibility of community pharmacies (pharmacy access) can have an outsized impact on a community's access to services and care, especially among rural residents. However, previous measurements of pharmacy access rely on methods that do not capture all aspects of geographic access. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure pharmacy access across the contiguous United States and by rural, suburban, and urban areas using drive-time analysis and an improved methodological approach. METHODS: The 2-step floating catchment area method was used to measure pharmacy access by considering the supply capacity of pharmacies, population demand for pharmacies, and the interaction between them within a reasonable travel time range. This method is a methodologically improved approach compared with previous methods for measuring geographic access. Network analysis was used to measure drive time from the population-weighted centroids of census tracts to the geocoded location of community pharmacies. Census tract-level pharmacy access was measured using a 10- and 20-minute drive time. Census tracts were also categorized based on population per square mile as rural (< 1000), suburban (1000-3000), and urban (> 3000). RESULTS: Across the contiguous United States, 79.9% and 91.1% of census tracts had access to at least 1 pharmacy per 10,000 people within a 10- and 20-minute drive time, respectively. Rural census tracts had the lowest share of access to at least 1 pharmacy per 10,000 people compared with suburban and urban tracts and for both drive times. CONCLUSION: Community pharmacies are highly accessible health care access points, specifically in urban and suburban areas. Pharmacies should be considered to expand access to services with limited geographic accessibility such as treatment programs for opioid use disorders, primary care, and healthy foods.
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Servicios Farmacéuticos , Farmacias , Estados Unidos , Humanos , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Población RuralRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To describe medication adherence and persistence of HIV PrEP overall and compare between sex and age groups of commercially insured individuals in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a national retrospective cohort study of the Merative MarketScan Claims Database from 2011 to 2019 to describe adherence and persistence of PrEP overall and compared between sex and age groups. High adherence was defined as ≥80% of proportion of days covered and persistence was measured in days from initiation to the first day of a 60-day treatment gap. RESULTS: A total of 29 689 new PrEP users identified. Overall adherence was high (81.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.5%-82.3%). Females were more adherent than males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.87; 95% CI: 1.50-2.34), while those ≥45-years were less adherent than individuals <45-years (aOR 0.87: 95% CI: 0.81-0.93). More than half of individuals discontinued therapy within the first year (median 238.0 days; interquartile range 99.0-507.0 days). Females were less persistent than males (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% CI: 1.34-1.65), and people ≥45-years old were more persistent (i.e., lower risk of discontinuation) than those <45-years (HR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.33-0.55). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show adherence to daily PrEP is high among commercially insured individuals but the majority still discontinue in the first year. Future research should investigate what factors influence PrEP discontinuation among this population and ways to reduce barriers to therapy maintenance to ensure the population-level benefits of PrEP treatment.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH , Infecciones por VIH , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición , Masculino , Femenino , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Estudios Retrospectivos , Cumplimiento de la Medicación , Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
This study quantifies the prevalence and trends in weekly PrEP coverage at the national, state and county-level, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.We estimated weekly PrEP coverage using longitudinal individual-level pharmacy claims from IQVIA LRx for a cohort of PrEP users (N = 287,493) ages 16 to 85 years between December 29th, 2019 and November 8th, 2020. Weekly PrEP coverage was defined as PrEP use among individuals at high risk for HIV. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to quantify changes in weekly PrEP coverage before (December 29th, 2019 - March 8th, 2020) and during (March 29th - November 8th, 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic at the national, state and county-level by county characteristics, specifically by EHE priority jurisdiction, racial/ethnic composition, and urbanity. Nationally, weekly PrEP coverage among individuals ages 16 to 85 at high risk for HIV declined by 11.5% (from 11.0% before to 9.5% during the pandemic; t = 8.02,p < 0.01). Weekly PrEP coverage declined in all states and most counties yet varied substantially across states and counties. Geographic disparities in weekly PrEP coverage were also observed between urban EHE priority counties with significantly lower rates in counties with ≥ 50% Black/Latinx population when compared to their counterparts (7.9% vs. 11.2%; t = 18.91,p < 0.01);these disparities were most pronounced in California and New York. Weekly PrEP coverage was much lower than the 25% annual coverage reported by the Centers for Disease Control and geographic disparities observed within states likely contribute to the persistent racial/ethnic disparities in new HIV diagnoses observed within those states.
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COVID-19 , Infecciones por VIH , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Pandemias/prevención & control , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , New YorkRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe national annual rates of nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of commercially insured individuals in the Merative MarketScan Database from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. METHODS: Patients at least 13 years old prescribed nPEP per recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were identified using pharmacy claims. Rates of use were described overall and stratified by sex, age group, and region. These rates were qualitatively compared to the diagnosis rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) observed in the data. Joinpoint analysis identified inflection points of nPEP use. RESULTS: Eleven thousand, three hundred and ninety-seven nPEP users were identified, with a mean age of 33.7âyears. Most were males (64.6%) and lived in the south (33.2%) and northeast (32.4%). The rate of nPEP use increased 515%, from 1.42 nPEP users per 100 000 enrollees in 2010 to 8.71 nPEP users per 10 000 enrollees in 2019. The comparative nPEP use rates among subgroups largely mirrored their HIV diagnosis rates, that is, subgroups with a higher HIV rate had higher nPEP use. In the Joinpoint analysis significant growth was observed from 2012 to 2015 [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC): 45.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 29.4 - 64.3] followed by a more moderate increase from 2015 to 2019 (EAPC 16.0%; 95% CI: 12.6-19.6). CONCLUSIONS: nPEP use increased from 2010 to 2019, but not equally across all risk groups. Further policy interventions should be developed to reduce barriers and ensure adequate access to this important HIV prevention tool.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH , Infecciones por VIH , Masculino , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto , Adolescente , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Estudios Retrospectivos , VIH , Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéutico , Profilaxis PosexposiciónRESUMEN
This study uses data from IQVIA's National Prescription Audit to assess the association of the Inflation Reduction Act's cap on cost sharing with insulin fills by Medicare beneficiaries.
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Seguro de Costos Compartidos , Prescripciones de Medicamentos , Gastos en Salud , Insulina , Medicare Part D , Anciano , Humanos , Seguro de Costos Compartidos/economía , Seguro de Costos Compartidos/estadística & datos numéricos , Prescripciones de Medicamentos/economía , Prescripciones de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Gastos en Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Insulina/economía , Insulina/uso terapéutico , Insulina Regular Humana/economía , Insulina Regular Humana/uso terapéutico , Seguro de Servicios Farmacéuticos/economía , Seguro de Servicios Farmacéuticos/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicare/economía , Medicare/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicare Part D/economía , Medicare Part D/estadística & datos numéricos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess inequities in prescription medication use and subsequent cost-related nonadherence (CRN) and cost-saving strategies by citizenship status in the United States. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: National Health Interview Survey (2017-2021). STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study examined noncitizen (n = 8596), naturalized citizen (n = 12,800), and US-born citizen (n = 120,195) adults. We also examined older adults (≥65 years) separately, including noncitizens without Medicare (a group of importance given their immigration-related barriers to health care access). Multiple mediation analysis was used to examine differences in CRN and determine whether economic, health care, and immigration factors explain observed inequities. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Noncitizens (41.9%) were less likely to use prescription medications than naturalized (60.5%) and US-born citizens (68.2%). Among prescription medication users, noncitizens (13.8%) were more likely to report CRN than naturalized (9.5%) and US-born citizens (11.0%). CRN differences between noncitizens and naturalized citizens (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.21-1.44) and between noncitizens and US-born citizens (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.07-1.35) were explained by insurance status and food insecurity. Only 4.9% of medication users turned to alternative therapies to lower their drug costs, but there were no substantial differences across citizenship status. More medication users requested lower-cost prescriptions (19.0%); however, noncitizens were less likely to make these requests. Older noncitizens without Medicare, of whom 23.9% requested lower-cost drugs, were an exception. Noncitizens (5.8%), particularly older noncitizens without Medicare (21.8%), were more likely to import their drugs than naturalized (3.5%) and US-born citizens (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Noncitizens experience a high burden of cost-related barriers to prescription medications. Efforts to reduce these inequities should focus on dismantling health care and food access barriers, regardless of citizenship status.
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Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Humanos , Anciano , Estados Unidos , Estudios Transversales , Ciudadanía , Medicare , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de SaludRESUMEN
This cross-sectional study assesses the availability of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment at local pharmacies in the US by state and retail pharmacy chain.
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Buprenorfina , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides , Servicios Farmacéuticos , Farmacia , Humanos , Buprenorfina/uso terapéutico , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapéutico , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Testing guidelines for initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been developed to ensure appropriate use of PrEP, such as among those with renal dysfunction or at high risk of seroconversion. While many studies have looked at the trends of use of PrEP in the United States, little is known about compliance with these guidelines, the quality of care of PrEP at a national level, or what provider-level factors are associated with high-quality care. We conducted a retrospective claims analysis of providers of commercially insured new users of PrEP between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019. Of the 4200 providers, quality of care was low, with only 6.4% having claims for ≥60% of guideline-recommended testing for their patients in the testing window for all visits. More than half of the providers did not have claims for HIV testing at initiation of PrEP and ≥40% did not for sexually transmitted infections at both initiation and follow-up visits. Even when extending the testing window, quality of care remained low. Logistic regression models found no association between provider type and high quality of care, but did find that providers with one PrEP patient were more likely to have higher quality of care than those with multiple patients for all tests [adjusted odds ratio 0.47 (95% confidence interval: 0.33-0.67)]. The study findings suggest further training and interventions, such as integrated test ordering through electronic health records, are needed to increase quality of care for PrEP and ensure appropriate monitoring of patients.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH , Infecciones por VIH , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual , Humanos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Masculino , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Estudios Retrospectivos , Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéutico , VIH , Prueba de VIH , Homosexualidad MasculinaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Antithrombotic agents have a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment, but the pandemic disrupted medication supply. This study examined changes in the volume of oral and parenteral anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications at US hospitals during the pandemic. METHODS: IQVIA National Sales Perspective (NSP) data was used to determine the monthly volume of anticoagulants and antiplatelets purchased at US hospitals between January 2018 and February 2021. Mean monthly medication volumes, reported as extended units (EUs), and year-over-year changes in medication volume were determined. A single-group interrupted time series analysis was used to evaluate changes in the rate of growth of monthly medication volumes before (January 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Overall, there was a 43.4% decline in the total volume of anticoagulants and antiplatelets at US hospitals in March 2020, driven by a decrease in heparin volume. Mean monthly volumes decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for parenteral anticoagulants (-106,691,340 EU [95% CI, -200,033,910 to -13,348,780]), oral anticoagulants (-354,800 EU [95% CI, -612,180 to -97,420]), and parenteral antiplatelets (-391,880 EU [95% CI, -535,420 to -248,330]). During the pandemic, the monthly volume of oral anticoagulants, parenteral anticoagulants, and parenteral antiplatelets grew significantly more than in the prepandemic period. This growth was primarily seen in volumes of apixaban, argatroban, enoxaparin, heparin, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. Apixaban and heparin volumes continued a prepandemic uptrend, while argatroban and eptifibatide volumes reversed trend. CONCLUSION: Rapid changes in anticoagulant and antiplatelet volume at US hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for institutional protocols to manage fluctuating medication volume demands.
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Anticoagulantes , COVID-19 , Humanos , Inhibidores de Agregación Plaquetaria/uso terapéutico , Pandemias , Eptifibatida , COVID-19/epidemiología , Heparina , HospitalesRESUMEN
This Viewpoint describes federal and state pharmacy regulations that may create barriers to buprenorphine access at pharmacies and suggests policy changes to address those barriers.