Patients pay up to 20 times more for neurological drugs since 2004, according to a study

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The study, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, revealed that it is the average expenditure for people taking medications for the treatment of multiple sclerosis that have increased the most in the last 12 years, costing 20 times more. 2016 than in 2004.
"The costs to the patient have increased to the point where neurologists should be able to take into account the potential financial burden of the patient when prescribing drugs, but they do not have this information," said Dr. Brian C Callaghan, lead author of the study and assistant professor of neurology at the University of Michigan.

Callaghan said 10 years ago that doctors did not pay much attention to direct costs because they were "close to $ 0 and co-paid most of the time". But that has changed.

"If you do not think about it," he says, "you really do not serve your patient."

The problem is "that doctors do not even know if it's cheap for you or expensive," he said, "and we know that high direct costs affect the frequency with which patients end up take medication in situations where they will probably have less good results because they do not take medication based on costs and other factors. "

Using a vast database of health care claims, researchers have looked at the costs of more than 912,000 Americans with dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy or disease. from Parkison over 12 years. These patients were privately insured and took at least one neurological medication.

Personal expenses increased for each disorder, but patients with multiple sclerosis experienced the largest increase.

Just how much the costs have gone up? For MS drugs, the costs were $ 15 per month in 2004; According to the study, in 2016, they were 309 dollars a month. And there is no sign of lowering costs any time soon.

"It is likely that costs will continue to increase," said Callaghan.

This is due to the new high-priced drugs being prepared, he said.

The researchers found that the costs were even more dramatic for people with high-deductible plans. For example, in 2016, multiple sclerosis patients in high-deductible plans paid $ 661 per month, compared to $ 246 per month for those without high-deductible plans.

The researchers also found that 5% of MS patients had paid $ 9,855 or more over two years. With a median household income of $ 53,039 in 2016, Callaghan said: "It's an important part of their median household income."

Costs have been steadily increasing over the years, he said, but the data showed significant leaps in personal spending starting in 2015 and continuing in 2016.

"It was probably the most surprising thing," said Callaghan.

Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Vice President of Research and Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at Virginia Commonwealth University, called the research "an incredible document" that highlights a vital issue for all Americans. He said he and other specialists in the field of neurology were increasingly concerned about "soaring prices for neurological therapies in all areas".

"What I think this article really illustrates, is that the financial toxicity associated with these drugs is simply amazing," said Johnson, who did not participate in the research. "As doctors, we need to do a better job … thinking about interviewing patients about the financial effects of the medications that they take.

"This document not only really illustrates the fact that we should ask questions, but it also illustrates the financial toxicity and the risks that this represents for our patients."

The study did not name the drugs examined as part of the research, but indicated that they were "the five most prescribed drugs most often prescribed for each condition, as well as any other known high-cost medication." ".

The study was funded by the American Academy of Neurology.

The association's president, Ralph Sacco, said the research "provides important information to help us better understand how these issues can directly affect our patients."

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