UH College of Pharmacy Researcher Examines Trends in Rising Cost of Medicine

Newly published research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy sheds light on the alarming rise in prescription drug costs, particularly in diabetic medications. According to the study, diabetic medications, including insulin, have been leading the surge in prescription drug prices in the U.S.

The research, led by Tyler Varisco, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy at the University of Houston, highlighted the concerning trend in diabetic medication expenditures. Varisco, along with Whanhui Chi, a second-year doctoral student in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, conducted a cross-sectional analysis to identify determinants of increasing medicine expenditures in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020.

"Despite observed trends in medication expenditures, very little effort has been made to understand how those trends vary by therapeutic class," noted Tyler Varisco in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.

The study revealed that total annual prescription medication expenditures in the U.S. rose significantly from $341.49 billion to $473.12 billion per year between 2011 and 2020. Among the different therapeutic areas, antidiabetic agents were identified as the most expensive category, with expenditures increasing from $27.15 billion to $89.17 billion over the same period.

Furthermore, Varisco pointed out that the growth in prescription drug expenditures can be attributed to various factors, including population demographics, changes in technology, and healthcare practices. The study found that spending by Medicare and Medicaid accounted for almost half of all U.S. spending on metabolic agents in 2020.

"In light of these developments, research is needed to substantiate concerns that trends in the cost of care are outpacing patients’ ability to pay," emphasized Tyler Varisco. "Continuing analysis is needed to help policymakers and other key stakeholders understand how changes in practice, policy, and drug marketing converge to impact total market expenditures."