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Generic immunosuppressants may decrease costs after organ transplantation for Medicare, patients
Between 2008 and 2013, there was a decrease in payments made by Medicare Part D and transplant recipients for tacrolimus and mycophenolate, according to a recently published study. According to researchers, the findings demonstrated that the initiation of generic immunosuppressive medications during this period resulted in cost savings for both Medicare and these patients.
Researchers used Medicare Part D prescription drug events between 2008 and 2013 to determine whether the availability of generic immunosuppressive medications, which began in 2009, may have alleviated financial burden for patients and their insurance carriers. With the Medicare part D prescription drug events, investigators estimated the average annualized per-patient payments made by patients and Medicare in a national cohort of kidney, liver and heart transplant recipients.
Results showed from 2008 to 2013, the Medicare Part D payments decreased overall by 48% to 67% across all organs and drugs for tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid. Investigators also noted low-income subsidy payments decreased between 2008 and 2013. Overall, there was a 63% to 79% decrease in out-of-pocket payments made by patients who did and those who did not receive low-income subsidies. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure s : The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.