National Council on Aging’s Post

Today, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a new dementia drug, lecanemab, for use in the UK. However, it is unlikely that the drug will be available for use on the NHS in England and Wales after a decision from NICE that it is not cost effective.  Unless this position changes, only those who can afford to pay the estimated annual cost of £20,000 to buy lecanemab privately will benefit from this potentially life-changing treatment. Yet again it seems like people with dementia are being pushed to the back of the queue when it comes to NHS spending.  We understand that this drug is not a ‘silver bullet’ but it’s probably the most important first step we can take on a journey towards an effective disease modifying treatment.     As far as we’re concerned this is fundamentally about the human rights of people with dementia to receive treatment.   We will be doing all we can to influence and respond to NICE’s consultation on lecanemab, and we hope that the independent Scottish Medicines Consortium will reach a positive decision.  Read more here – https://lnkd.in/e58Teacr If you have been affected by today’s decision and require information or emotional support, please contact our 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline at 0808 808 300, or email helpline@alzscot.org.

You may have heard about #Leqembi, the latest FDA-approved breakthrough in #Alzheimers treatment. Anyone with early-stage #Alzheimers can get a prescription—but even with #Medicare Part B coverage, not everyone can afford it. Here's what you and your community need to know about the cost, access, and effectiveness of this drug.👇 #AlzheimersAndBrainAwarenessMonth https://lnkd.in/ei7uJwXP

🔍 **Insight into Semaglutide's Impact on U.S. Health Costs and Access** A recent analysis reveals that over 136 million American adults could potentially benefit from semaglutide, the GLP-1 drug marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management. Beyond these uses, semaglutide may also aid in preventing heart disease. Despite the promising health benefits, the costs—approximately $1,000 per month—pose significant financial barriers. Currently, insurance coverage predominantly supports its use for type 2 diabetes. With 2023 net sales reaching $13.8 billion, semaglutide's pricing remains under scrutiny. While pharmaceutical firms emphasize the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in cost decisions, economic accessibility remains a critical issue, with less than half of eligible patients receiving coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. As healthcare professionals and policymakers navigate these challenges, prioritizing affordability and broadening coverage could enhance health outcomes and access for millions. #Healthcare #Pharmaceuticals #Semaglutide #AccessToCare #InnovationInMedicine

Ozempic, Other GLP-1 Therapies Caused Major Increase in Medicare Spending. After semaglutide and tirzepatide were approved, and ozempic use continues to rise, Medicare spending is also increasing because of a high demand for GLP-1 therapies. https://lnkd.in/gXWpPraq

Today, we are proud to announce HCA Healthcare collected 21,137 pounds of unused or expired medications during our sixth annual “Crush the Crisis” national prescription drug take back day. This surpasses last year’s totals and is the most we have ever collected during the annual event. In total, HCA Healthcare has now collected more than 88,600 pounds of medication since launching “Crush the Crisis” as an enterprise initiative in 2019. “I am amazed by the results of this year’s Crush the Crisis,” said Dr. Randy Fagin, chief medical officer of HCA Healthcare’s National Group. “Our colleagues showed up for their communities to help remove unneeded medication before it could fall into the wrong hands. This record-breaking year is a testament to how HCA Healthcare cares for the communities we serve.” HCA Healthcare facilities across the country partnered with local law enforcement to help communities safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired medication. An estimated 14.5 million doses of medication were collected at more than 125 collection sites. HCA Healthcare’s “Crush the Crisis” events were held in alignment with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which collected 629,953 pounds of medication. ➡ Learn more about HCA Healthcare’s initiatives to help reduce prescription drug misuse and transform pain management: https://bit.ly/3AQyTmu. #HealthierTomorrows #CrushTheCrisis

#ICYMI, our newest blog discusses the importance of effective strategies to resolve drug therapy problems (#DTPs) while exploring actions #HealthPlans and #PBMs can take for improved #adherence, member health outcomes and cost savings. https://hubs.ly/Q02zFy1H0 #adherenceresolved #AdhereHealth #MedicationOptimization

Here’s 5 things wrong with a recent JAMA study that’s fueling misleading rhetoric around the cost of diabetes and anti-obesity medicines: 1. JAMA fails to account for the substantial risk and cost it takes to bring new medicines to market.   2. The study doesn’t represent the actual costs invested to manufacture these medicines.   3. JAMA ignores significant price concessions that dramatically lower net prices.   4. Medicare spending on diabetes medicines is likely far lower than what is being reported.   5. Medicines have the potential to drive significant savings to the health care system and avoid economic losses. Get the facts here: https://lnkd.in/e4t6ietF

#DYK: Major Drugmakers Cap Asthma Inhaler Costs at $35 Per Month Amid Federal Pressure Exciting developments for asthma and COPD patients! Starting June 1, 2024, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, L.P. will cap the monthly cost of their asthma inhalers at $35. This initiative, driven by significant governmental advocacy, aims to alleviate the financial strain on patients managing #asthma and #COPD. This price cap is a game-changer, providing crucial financial relief, especially for those with commercial insurance. Uninsured patients will also benefit, with AstraZeneca offering the cap through savings programs and Boehringer Ingelheim providing copay cards for eligible patients. Addressing the high costs of asthma medications is vital, as many patients have been forced to skip or delay treatment due to financial constraints. These costs have disproportionately impacted low-income and minority communities, leading to higher hospitalization and mortality rates. While this is a significant step forward, some experts remain cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the need for effective implementation and comprehensive coverage for all necessary medications. Additionally, patients can further ease their financial burden by joining CedoHealth's membership program. For just $20 a month, billed annually, members gain access to essential prescription medications, including generic ProAir (retail price $85.00) and other asthma drugs, at no extra cost. This program ensures that patients receive necessary treatments without worrying about high out-of-pocket expenses, promoting better health outcomes and peace of mind. Experience the #CedoEffect: 🌐 cedohealth.com ✉️ contact@cedohealth.com ☎️ +1 800-509-5168 #Healthcare #AsthmaRelief #AffordableCare #Pharma #HealthNews 👉 Source: https://lnkd.in/eacCdsv4

EMA updates guidelines to prevent interactions between weight loss drug Mysimba and opioids, enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy. #ClinicalResearches #RegulatoryAgencies #PatientSafety #Healthcare #MarketAccessToday #MarketAccess

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Although "Diabetes Awareness" is focused on individuals who are living with or at risk of developing diabetes, why don't we switch things up in this corner with some prescribing tips & tricks for the prescribers involved in the care of patients with diabetes?😜 ------ #Fact: While certain types of insulin are structurally similar with similar effectiveness, they're NOT considered interchangeable. For example, Basaglar 100u/ml is not interchangeable with Lantus 100u/ml. #Fact: The use of a brand name on a prescription for certain types of insulin indicates that the prescriber has a preference for that brand of insulin. I know this is not the intention for most prescribers. #PrescribingPearls: - avoid using the brand names on prescriptions. Prescribe with the drug name and concentration e.g Insulin Glargine 100u/ml instead of "Basaglar" or "Lantus." -if the prescriber's system automatically populates the brand name, it may be beneficial to add a note saying that it's "ok to substitute for the preferred brand." Here are the winning reasons to consider these pearls 👇🏾 ✨️zero administrative burden for the prescriber & team -> sanity, saved! ✨️clear + simple indication of the intended drug therapy -> hello team work! ✨️obvious clue that patient's access to the insulin therapy was considered -> the drug cost & availability may be a barrier that the patient may not yet be aware of during their encounter with the prescriber. 🎯 Remember that a written prescription for a medication means nothing if the patient can't access the medication! ------ Got more tips to share? let's see it in the comment! For now, try implementing these pearls and be sure to let me know how it goes. Cheers to being efficient and saving sanity together! *📸 The attached picture is a real prescription for Insulin Glargine 100u/ml that took 3 tries and 8 days to get it right. #PatientCare #TeamBasedCare #Community #Pharmacy #Consultant #PharmD #MD #NP #PA #PatientAdvocate