Prostaglandin Coverage and Costs to Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries, 2009-2017

Prostaglandin analogs are the most effective treatment for glaucoma, a common condition among older adults. Despite the availability of generic drugs, the costs associated with these prescription drugs are rising.

To characterize Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) formulary coverage and beneficiary out-of-pocket cost for prostaglandin analogs from 2009 to 2017 and Medicare spending on prostaglandin analogs from 2013 to 2017.

This study was a retrospective analysis. We used 2009, 2013, and 2017 Medicare PDP formulary, beneficiary cost, and pricing files to determine beneficiary first-prescription out-of-pocket costs and plan coverage (unrestricted, restricted, or not covered) of branded latanoprost 0.005%, travoprost 0.004%, bimatoprost 0.03% and 0.01%, and tafluprost 0.0015% and of generic latanoprost 0.005% and generic bimatoprost 0.03%. We also used Medicare Part D spending data to determine aggregate spend in 2013 and 2017.

In 2009, 92% of plans covered branded latanoprost, 83% covered branded bimatoprost; and 49% covered branded travoprost, whereas in 2017, 6% of plans covered branded latanoprost; 95% covered branded bimatoprost; and 96% covered branded travoprost. Although generic latanoprost was universally covered, generic bimatoprost was only covered by 35% of plans in 2017. Median out-of-pocket cost of branded prostaglandins without generic equivalents was $35 (IQR = $29-$40) in 2009, $45 (IQR = $42-$101) in 2013, and $90 (IQR = $45-$159) in 2017. Median out-of-pocket cost of all available generic prostaglandins was $10 (IQR = $5-$33) in 2013 and $10 (IQR = $4-$15) in 2017. In 2013, Medicare spent $733 million on prostaglandin analogs; in 2017, this increased to $1.09 billion, with $943 million (86%) spent on branded prostaglandins and $148 million (14%) spent on generics.

Medicare PDP coverage of branded prostaglandins remained stable from 2009 to 2017. While median beneficiary out-of-pocket costs associated with generic prostaglandins remained stable, those associated with branded prostaglandins increased nearly 3-fold.

Research reported in this publication was supported by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number T35HL007649. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or the National Institutes of Health. Shah has received research support through Mayo Clinic from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish Yale-Mayo Clinic Center for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) program (U01FD005938); the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation under the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI); the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (U19HS024075, R01HS025164, R01HS025402, R03HS025517); and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (R56HL130496, R01HL131535), National Science Foundation, and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute to develop a clinical data research network. Ross has received research support through Yale University from Johnson & Johnson to develop methods of clinical trial data sharing; Medtronic and the FDA to develop methods for postmarket surveillance of medical devices (U01FD004585); the FDA to establish Yale-Mayo Clinic Center for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation program (U01FD005938); the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to better understand medical technology evaluation; the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop and maintain performance measures that are used for public reporting (HHSM-500-2013-13018I); the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (R01HS022882); the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH (R01HS025164); and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to establish the Good Pharma Scorecard at Bioethics International and the Collaboration on Research Integrity and Transparency at Yale. The other authors have nothing to disclose.