<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Medicare patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face increasing out-of-pocket costs for disease-modifying therapies, according to a study published in the February issue of Health Affairs<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Daniel M. Hartung, Pharm.D., M.P.H., from Oregon State University\/Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, and colleagues used enrollment-weighted Prescription Drug Plan Formulary files (2007 to 2016) to assess changes in pharmacy benefit coverage and cost-sharing amounts for MS disease-modifying therapies in the Medicare Part D program.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that the rate of prior authorization use increased from 61 to 66 percent of plans to 84 to 90 percent. There was a decline from 39 to 17 percent in the share of plans with at least one therapy available without limitations. For 2019, the projected cumulative out-of-pocket spending was $6,894. Generic glatiramer acetate was the therapy with the highest out-of-pocket spending.<\/p>\n
“Policy makers need to consider both access restrictions and a growing cost-sharing burden as potential consequences of high and rising drug prices for people with MS,” the authors write.<\/p>\n
Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n