Worth more than their weight in gold?
D Warren1, A Buteau2, D Diven1
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|September 17, 2016
Summary
The cost of topical prescription drugs has risen significantly. Recent analysis shows their price per unit is now higher than many common consumer goods.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Health Economics
Background:
- Rising healthcare costs impact patient access to treatments.
- Topical prescription medications represent a significant class of pharmaceuticals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the recent cost trends of topical prescription medications.
- To compare the unit cost of these medications to consumer goods.
Main Methods:
- Cost analysis of selected topical prescription medications.
- Unit cost calculation and comparison.
Main Results:
- The cost per unit for many topical prescription medications has increased.
- This unit cost now surpasses that of numerous high-value consumer items.
Conclusions:
- The escalating cost of topical prescription drugs warrants attention.
- Affordability of these essential medications may be a growing concern for patients.
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