Generic Drug Discount Programs Research Articles

Medicare beneficiaries' out-of-pocket costs for commonly used generic drugs, 2009-2017.

To examine differences in the out-of-pocket costs for common generic drugs used to treat chronic conditions when individuals used their Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) or when purchased through Walmart's generic drug discount programs (GDDPs) from 2009 to 2017. A retrospective analysis of Medicare PDP Formulary files and Walmart's GDDP retail drug lists from 2009 to 2017. We identified all generic drugs used to treat chronic conditions that were on Walmart's GDDP retail drug list from 2009 to 2017. We then determined the out-of-pocket costs for each drug for each Medicare PDP and compared those costs with Walmart's GDDP cash price. There were 62 and 43 generic medications used to treat common chronic diseases available through Walmart's GDDP in 2009 and 2017, respectively. Across all PDPs, the median beneficiary out-of-pocket expenditure for a 30-day supply of the GDDP-available medications for chronic diseases decreased from $5.70 (interquartile range [IQR], $2.55-$7.98) in 2009 to $2.00 (IQR, $0.00-$4.00) in 2017 (P <.001) Approximately three-fifths (60.2%) of PDPs required beneficiaries to pay out-of-pocket costs higher than those of Walmart's GDDP in 2009, but only one-third (33.4%) did so in 2017. Although Medicare beneficiary out-of-pocket costs for commonly used generic drug prescriptions generally decreased over time, Medicare beneficiaries may still be paying more for the same drugs than they would through Walmart's GDDP. Increased generic drug price transparency, including enforcing bans on gag clauses, is needed to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries obtain drugs using the most affordable options.

An Emergency Department Pilot Study to Save Money for Patients through use of Retail Pharmacy Generic Drug Discount Programs.

The objective was to assess the number of emergency department patients with selected chronic medical conditions having medicine on a generic drug discount program list (GDDP), and to see if providing information about GDDPs would lead to cost savings. A survey was given to consenting patients with at least one of 16 chronic medical conditions. Participants were offered education, which provided information about the three pharmacies closest to the participant. Participants were called after 30 days after to assess GDDP use and money saved. Nearly all (96%) of the 116 participants had at least one medicine on a GDDP list; 80% were unaware of GDDPs. Of the 45 participants enrolled in the intervention component, 37 patients were reached for 30-day follow-up. Of those reached, 26 (70%) reported switching to a GDDP and saving money. Discussing GDDPs with patients in the ED may produce cost-savings.

Assessing Medicare Part D claim completeness using medication self-reports: the role of veteran status and Generic Drug Discount Programs.

Medicare Part D claims are commonly used for research, but missing claims could compromise their validity. This study assessed 2 possible causes of missing claims: veteran status and Generic Drug Discount Programs (GDDP). We merged medication self-reports from telephone interviews in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study with Part D claims for 6 medications (3 were commonly in GDDP in 2009). Merged records (4468) were available for 2905 ARIC participants enrolled in Part D. Multinomial logit regression provided estimates of the association of concordance (self-report and Part D, self-report only, or Part D only) with veteran and GDDP status, controlling for participant sociodemographics. Sample participants were 74±5 years of age, 68% white and 63% female; 19% were male veterans. Compared with females, male veterans were 11% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7%-16%] less likely to have matched medications in self-report and Part D and 11% (95% CI, 7%-16%) more likely to have self-report only. Records for GDDP versus non-GDDP medications were 4% (95% CI, 1%-7%) more likely to be in self-report and Part D and 3% (95% CI, 1%-5%) less likely to be in Part D only, with no difference in self-report only. Part D claims were more likely to be missing for veterans, but claims for medications commonly available through GDDP were more likely to match with self-reports. Although researchers should be aware of the possibility of missing claims, GDDP status was associated with a higher rather than lower likelihood of claims being complete in 2009.

Assessing Medicare Part D Claim Completeness Using Medication Self-Reports: The Role of Veteran Status and Generic Drug Discount Programs

Assessing Medicare Part D Claim Completeness Using Medication Self-Reports: The Role of Veteran Status and Generic Drug Discount Programs

Predictors of $4 generic prescription drug discount programs use in the low-income population

Generic drug discount programs (GDDPs) are an option to provide affordable prescription medication to low-income individuals. However, the factors that influence the use of GDDPs in low-income population are unknown. To evaluate factors associated with utilization of generic a drug discount program in a low-income population. A survey was administered to adult participants at health centers and community-based organizations in Houston, Texas, USA (n=525). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity of the survey instrument and to assess distinct factors associated with GDDP utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the distribution of patient socio-demographic characteristics and questionnaire responses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios and to examine the strength of association with GDDP utilization after adjusting for participant socio-demographic features that were statistically significant at a priori level of P<0.05. In this study, 72% of respondents were aware of the GDDP, and 61% had utilized the GDDP. Participants were 4 times likely to use a GDDP when their physician (AOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.6-6.4, P<0.001) or pharmacist (AOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.6-6.3, P<0.001) talked to them about it. Participants indicated that the most important barriers to utilization of GDDPs were lack of awareness (44%), and lack of recommendation by a physician (19%). Increased patient awareness and physician recommendation may increase the use of GDDPs, which may lead to improved compliance with medications, better health outcomes and reduced health care costs.

Perceptions of Generic Drug Discount Programs Among Low-Income Women: A Qualitative Study

PurposeIncreasing the awareness and use of generic drug discount programs (GDDP) may improve access to essential prescription drugs. However, little is known about public perceptions of GDDPs. The purpose of this study is to understand the perceptions and utilization patterns of low-income women regarding GDDP. MethodsUsing a purposive sampling strategy, we conducted seven focus groups with a total of 50 participants using a semistructured guide to assess awareness and utilization of GDDP. Transcripts of the focus groups were systematically analyzed across groups with a general inductive approach for qualitative data analysis. ResultsFive major categorical themes emerged from the focus group content analysis: 1) Perceived differences between generic and brand-name prescription drugs, 2) barriers to utilizing GDDP, 3) lack of adequate communication between pharmacy, physician and patient about GDDP, 4) perceived health impact of utilizing GDDPs, and 5) perceived health care savings. Most participants indicated that they perceive no difference between generic and brand-name prescription drugs. Lack of awareness was indicated as a barrier to utilization. There was general agreement among participants that GDDP can help to maintain health while saving money. ConclusionStudy participants demonstrated generally favorable perceptions regarding GDDPs. Our findings underscore the need for policies that encourage expansion of the GDDP formulary and increasing awareness and utilization of GDDP.

Federally Qualified Health Center Patients and Generic Drug Discount Programs

This study evaluates the factors associated with utilization of generic drug discount program (GDDP) among federally qualified health center (FQHC) patients in Houston, Texas. A survey to determine awareness and use of GDDP was administered to 304 patients at three FQHCs in Houston, Texas. Patients at FQHCs treated with courtesy by pharmacy staff (OR: 14.1, 95% CI: 7.9-25.2), patients with a perception of positive impact of GDDP on their health (OR: 7.6, 95% CI: 4.5-12.7), those who found GDDP easy to use (OR: 6.6, 95% CI: 3.8-11.6), were more likely to utilize GDDP. Approximately 56% of the participants had utilized the GDDP at least once in the past 12 months. Approximately 85% of participants indicated that they would use GDDP if recommended by a physician. It is possible for FQHCs to be good venues for increasing awareness and utilization of GDDP.

Federally Qualified Health Center Patients and Generic Drug Discount Programs

This study evaluates the factors associated with utilization of generic drug discount program (GDDP) among federally qualified health center (FQHC) patients in Houston, Texas. A survey to determine awareness and use of GDDP was administered to 304 patients at three FQHCs in Houston, Texas. Patients at FQHCs treated with courtesy by pharmacy staff (OR: 14.1, 95% CI: 7.9-25.2), patients with a perception of positive impact of GDDP on their health (OR: 7.6, 95% CI: 4.5-12.7), those who found GDDP easy to use (OR: 6.6, 95% CI: 3.8-11.6), were more likely to utilize GDDP. Approximately 56% of the participants had utilized the GDDP at least once in the past 12 months. Approximately 85% of participants indicated that they would use GDDP if recommended by a physician. It is possible for FQHCs to be good venues for increasing awareness and utilization of GDDP.

Extent of Drug Coverage across Generic Drug Discount Programs offered by Community Pharmacies: A look at five Chronic Conditions

Background: Chronic conditions are expensive to treat because of the ongoing prescription cost burden. Generic drug discount programs (GDDPs) that offer generics at discounted price may prove beneficial to reduce pharmacy costs for the same.&#x0D; Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the extent to which GDDPs provide drug coverage for five common chronic conditions.&#x0D; Methods: A content analyses of preexisting information was conducted. Extent of coverage based on top 200 generic drugs prescribed during 2008 for the treatment of chronic conditions such as hypertension, mental disorders, arthritis, pulmonary/respiratory conditions, and diabetes were identified. Commonly prescribed medications for these diseases were identified using published peer reviewed clinical guidelines. List of drugs covered under a GDDP for stores, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, HEB, Target, and Randalls were obtained and compared to assess drug coverage by retail dollar sales and sales volume. Descriptive statistics and frequency/percentage of coverage were reported using SAS 9.2.&#x0D; Results: GDDPs covered the highest number of drugs for hypertension (21-27 across different GDDPs) and the least (3-5 across different GDDPs) for pulmonary/respiratory conditions. Arthritis (5-11), mental disorders (6-11) and diabetes (5-7) had similar coverage. When compared to the top 200 drugs by retail dollars spent during 2008, hypertension (68%-87%) and diabetes (63%-88%) had the highest coverage followed by respiratory conditions (30%-50%), arthritis (22%-48%), and mental disorders (21%-38%). Similar result was obtained when GDDP coverage was compared with the top 200 generic drugs by sales volume, where diabetes (63-88%) and hypertension (57%-74%) had the highest coverage and mental disorders remained the lowest (23%-37%).&#x0D; Conclusion/Implications: Drug coverage in GDDPs varied by pharmacies across the five common chronic conditions evaluated which may limit accessibility of these programs for uninformed consumers. Drug coverage was higher for diabetes and hypertension compared to mental disorders, arthritis, and pulmonary/respiratory conditions. Innovative strategies such as a national GDDP formulary list or internet-based technological tools to help consumers identify comparative drug coverage may be useful to improve access to these medications.&#x0D; &#x0D; Type: Student Project

Assessment of Generic Drug Discount Programs Offered by Large Chain Pharmacies in the United States

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare various Generic Drug Discount Programs (GDDPs) offered by large chain pharmacies in the United States to understand similarities and differences within them. Data collected included questions such as whether the pharmacy offered any GDDP, discounted amount, total number of generic drugs and drug classes included in the GDDP, and whether the discounted amount was differentiated by the term ‘insured’ or ‘uninsured’. Comparison of GDDPs was conducted by matching drugs covered under each GDDP with top-100 generics consumed in the United States in 2007. Of the 37 pharmacies evaluated, 22 offered GDDPs. GDDP offered by Pathmark pharmacy contributed the highest number of top-100 drugs both in dollar amounts and in number of units sold. In conclusion, more than half of the large chain pharmacies in the United States offered some form of GDDPs, which were different across pharmacies. These GDDPs offered consumers an option to reduce their health-care costs. Most programs varied by number of drugs covered, days' supply, enrollment requirements and the discounted amounts for generic drugs.