Higher Priced Older Pharmaceuticals: How Should We Respond?

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• The United States faces decades-long awareness of high medication costs.
• A recent trend involves exponential price increases for established, older pharmaceuticals.
• This phenomenon necessitates strategies for healthcare practitioners to manage rising drug expenses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance for healthcare professionals on responding to escalating pharmaceutical prices.
• To summarize expert opinions on addressing the challenges posed by increased drug costs.
• To explore the application of patient-centered care principles in managing high-priced medications.

Main Methods:

• An interprofessional session was convened at CHEST 2016, featuring diverse healthcare stakeholders.
• Proceedings from the session, including expert opinions, were compiled and updated.
• The commentary presents a compilation of nine editorials, reflecting individual author perspectives.

Main Results:

• All participants affirmed a primary focus on the patient, irrespective of their sector.
• Effective patient-focused care requires integrating communication, continuity of care, and concordance of expectations (the 3 Cs).
• The authors discuss the practical application of the 3 Cs in addressing the issue of higher-priced pharmaceuticals.

Conclusions:

• Addressing high pharmaceutical costs requires a shift towards truly patient-focused care.
• The 3 Cs—communication, continuity, and concordance—are crucial for improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
• Implementing these principles can help navigate the complexities of escalating drug prices and enhance patient care.