Health

Patients on newer diabetes drugs are more compliant

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 10, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Diabetics who were prescribed newer medications were more likely to take these drugs as instructed than patients who were prescribed drugs that have been on the market for several decades, according to research published in the March Current Medical Research and Opinion.

The newer drugs can be 10 times more expensive than older ones, researchers said. But they found that the extra cost was balanced by the expense cut in other aspects of health care. Patients on newer drugs also had a slightly lower risk of hospitalization because of diabetes-related complications.

Researchers analyzed records from more than 3,000 patients in the North Carolina Medicaid program who took thiazolidinediones (TZDs) or either metformin or a sulfonylurea to control their diabetes. TZDs (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the 1990s, while metformin and the sulfonylureas have been on the market for 50 years.

Patients who took a TZD spent an average of $76 to $150 less per month on total costs, including the price of medications, than did those taking the cheaper drugs. "Taking a TZD as instructed was the strongest predictor of a reduced risk of hospitalization and decreased health care costs in this group of patients," said lead author Rajesh Balkrishnan, PhD, Merrell Dow Professor of Pharmacy at Ohio State University in Columbus.

"We're not sure why that was so," Dr. Balkrishnan said. "It could be that the TZD helped get symptoms under control faster."

Funding for the study was provided by Takeda Pharmaceuticals which makes Actos (pioglitazone), a TZD.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/04/10/hlbf0410.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn