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Questions & Answers About Prescription Medicines |
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Are we spending too much on pharmaceuticals? Can we afford it? How much is good health worth? How much spending is too much? With an unstable economy, many Americans are legitimately concerned about what comes out of their wallets. Some believe that spending on medicines has reached unnecessary levels. Spending may be increasing, but so are benefits. With breakthrough advances in medicine, physicians have the tools and knowledge necessary to diagnosis patients more quickly and accurately. Better diagnoses and treatment guidelines have led to increased use of prescription medicines. This trend, combined with an aging population, has contributed to increased volume, and thus increased spending. All aspects of spending must be examined in order to best answer questions about expenditures for medicines. Considering only medicines without taking into account other aspects of health care spending will not help determine the real value of pharmaceuticals in today's complicated health care system.
Are the benefits of new medicines worth their cost? The rise in quality health care, due to new science and better practice fostered by increases in technology and pharmaceutical innovation, has consequently raised the bar when it comes to Americans' expectations. Newer, more advanced medicines are decreasing the need for more expensive and invasive treatments and reducing unwanted side effects. Unfortunately, the fruits of pharmaceutical innovation have been masked by concerns over increased spending on newer medicines. These concerns, however, do not take into account the benefits, most notably, that the cost of health care in the long-term is much lower. Patients are living longer, healthier and more productive lives thanks to innovative medicines, as evidenced by the articles in this section. And, the cost of some types of care is actually falling as a result of medical innovation. This research demonstrates that the benefits of new prescription drugs far outweigh the cost.
Over the past fifty years, patients have benefited greatly from the evolution of medicines. Small and successive improvements to drugs have resulted in striking advances in drug therapy and patient care by improving efficacy, compliance and in some cases, cost-effectiveness. This research explains the process of innovation and highlights the health benefits reaped by providing physicians with a large "tool chest" of medicines, allowing each individual patient to be treated according to his or her specific needs. Having a range of treatment options in a therapeutic class is especially important for older patients because age-related physiological changes may produce markedly diverse responses to medications. Moreover, genetic differences among patients of different ethnic and racial origins may cause medicines to be more effective in some patients than others. Innovative medicines play an important role in the ability to tailor treatment to meet the specific needs of a patient so that the right drug is given to best treat the patient's condition.
Are people with chronic illnesses getting the care they need? The Institute of Medicine, as well as various quality assurance and accreditation groups, has noted that there is often a gap between best practice and the care that patients actually receive. Quality care requires treating the whole patient, addressing each patient's individual needs and providing care that is consistent with best medical knowledge. Working together, with the patient at the center of care, health professionals, insurers and patients can manage both costs and quality to achieve the best health outcomes for the patient at the least necessary cost. One method of collaboration is "disease management," an integrated method of care that involves a more patient-focused approach to providing and coordinating the various components of care that will enhance quality and treatment outcomes. A disease management program improves quality of care by ensuring that the best practices for that condition are actually used on a day-to-day basis. Increasingly, many of these conditions are being managed with innovative medicines and according to clinical guidelines, allowing these patients to enjoy longer, more productive lives. This research examines the diagnosis and management and treatment of specific diseases and conditions, including allergies, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Improved patient education through health media, Web sites, and advertising are increasing recognition of some of the most under-diagnosed chronic diseases. Good management of such chronic conditions can enhance patient health outcomes and reduce overall costs.
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