Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7903

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Richardson K, Basskin L.
Cost benefit analysis of methods used to access manufacturers' pharmaceutical assistance programs
ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting 2000 Dec; 35:

Abstract:

The net benefits and user satisfaction of different methods used by federally qualified health centers to access manufacturers’ pharmaceutical assistance programs were compared. Twelve hundred four entities participating in the Public Health Service 340B Discounted Drug Pricing Program were surveyed by mail regarding methods used to access pharmaceutical assistance programs. There were 92 respondents to the survey for a response rate of 8%. There were 3 groups of access methods used: Group A (no access, no net benefit), Group B (manual users, median net benefit=$47,868.00, 25th to 75th interquartile range=$10,417.00-207,790.00), Group C (computer users, median net benefit=$404,060.00, 25th to 75th interquartile range $160,420.00-995,408.00). The method associated with the greatest median net benefit was group C (p<0.01). Other variables, such as charging fees to patients and recovering a higher number of prescriptions, appeared to contribute to greater median net benefit. There was no significant difference in user satisfaction between the groups. Further studies should be conducted to explore factors affecting net benefit.