Catherine I. Starner

TL;DR: The percentage of TZD users who had medical claims indicating increased cardiovascular (CV) risk before and after release (May 21, 2007) of the FDA safety warning and online release of the meta-analysis performed by Nissen and Wolski was determined.

TL;DR: The relationship between prescription abandonment and OOP expense among individuals newly initiating high-cost medication therapy with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker or multiple sclerosis (MS) biologic agent is explored.

TL;DR: In the vast majority of cases, coupons reduced monthly cost sharing to less than $250, a point at which patients were far less likely to abandon therapy with biologic anti-inflammatory drugs or with drugs for multiple sclerosis, but by reducing cost sharing, coupons may also circumvent efforts to encourage patients to use the most cost-effective drugs.

TL;DR: Although specialty drugs are accounting for a growing portion of chronic disease total cost of care, health insurers will need to become more vigilant regarding specialty drug use and focus on 4 cost saving management opportunities.

TL;DR: The DAE RetroDUR was associated with a possible reduction in the use of potentially inappropriate prescription medications in these older adults, and further research is needed to show the impact on health care utilization and costs, adverse drug events, and health care and quality-of-life outcomes.