CHEST Guidelines-Higher-Priced-Older-Pharmaceuticals_2017

Higher-Priced-Older-Pharmaceuticals_2017_chest

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The document examines the rising costs of older pharmaceuticals in the United States, which have shown exponential price increases despite being on the market for years. A session at the CHEST 2016 conference addressed how various healthcare professionals, including pulmonologists, a sarcoidosis expert, a pharmacy executive, and an ethicist, should respond to this issue. These contributions, compiled here, highlight perspectives from different sectors but agree on the focus on patient-centered care.<br /><br />The session was prompted by a situation involving an RCI drug advertisement in the CHEST journal, which raised ethical questions despite its FDA approval. Although the advertisement was legally compliant, it implied broader suitability of the drug than warranted, prompting the journal to collaborate with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to address concerns over ethical implications and drug cost.<br /><br />The discussion notes that healthcare costs in the U.S. have rapidly increased, with pharmaceuticals being a significant contributor. This rise includes older drugs seeing dramatic price hikes due to market manipulation, lack of competition, and orphan drug status, which RCI holds for certain conditions like infantile spasms.<br /><br />Medical societies are encouraged to develop evidence-based guidelines and advocate for high-value care that balances benefits and costs. The role of pharmacies is crucial, where collaboration with prescribers can help patients access cost-effective medications.<br /><br />Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry has an ethical responsibility to invest in research and maintain reasonable drug pricing, even while sustaining profitability. Ethical concerns arise when pricing strategies prioritize profit over patient access and affordability, necessitating a more responsible approach by the industry.<br /><br />Overall, the commentary suggests that improving patient care and satisfaction requires the 3 Cs: communication, continuity, and concordance, ensuring treatment options are affordable, evidence-based, and effectively communicated to patients for informed decision-making.

Keywords

pharmaceuticals

drug pricing

healthcare costs

ethics

patient-centered care

CHEST 2016

RCI drug

orphan drug status

evidence-based guidelines

pharmaceutical industry responsibility