Studies - Page 2 of 2 - Center for Medical Economics and Innovation

Much-Publicized Report on Financial Returns on Cancer Treatments Contains Significant Flaws and Biases

June 12, 2019 Briefs, Issues, Resources, Studies

The World Health Organization (WHO) is advocating that the price of cancer treatments are excessive, but its report that justifies this conclusion contains significant biases that drastically over-estimates the revenues multiple over research and development (R&D) costs, according to a new issue brief released today by the Center for Medical Economics and Innovation at the non-partisan Pacific Research Institute. “Cancer medications have revolutionized treatment, and it is unfortunate if the WHO’s flawed analysis jeopardizes patients’ access to these life-saving medicines” says...

The Benefits from Repealing the Medical Device Tax

October 18, 2018 Policy Proposals, Studies

The controversial medical device tax hurts doctors, patients and manufacturers and should be repealed by Congress. The medical device tax imposes a 2.3 percent tax on such common items as pacemakers, CT scan machines, dental instruments, and artificial joints. It is currently suspended. Congress isn’t even collecting the revenue it anticipated, and it has also led to lower investment in research and development in new medical technology....

Reforming CMS’ Competitive Bidding Process to Improve Quality and Sustainability

July 18, 2018 Policy Proposals, Studies

Patient health is being negatively impacted by an inefficient system plagued by low provider payments and lack of access to necessary equipment. Proposed reforms to the Medicare competitive bidding process for wheelchairs, home breathing equipment, and other durable medical equipment underscore the findings of this study....

Impediments to a Stronger Biosimilars Market

June 5, 2018 Price and Costs, Studies

By removing barriers holding back the increased use of biosimilars, savings could be significant. In a case study of infliximab, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other illnesses, reforms could realize an annual savings of between $412 million and $465 million....

Promoting Access and Lowering Costs in Health Care: The Case of Empowering Pharmacists to Increase Adult Vaccination Rates

April 17, 2018 Innovation, Studies

Patients could save time and money if federal law is reformed to allow pharmacists to administer all CDC recommended vaccines. Right now, pharmacists are subject to a patchwork of laws in each state that are effectively barriers to vaccines being administered at neighborhood pharmacies. This access barrier exists even though pharmacists receive vaccination training in their pharmacy school education....

Addressing the Problems of Abuse in the 340B Drug Pricing Program

December 13, 2017 Price and Costs, Studies

The 340B program, which was created to give discounted prescription drugs to poor Americans, is riddled with abuse. The program has created a perverse incentive for providers to profit instead of effectively serve the poor and is hurting overall health care quality....

The Economic Costs of Pharmacy Benefit Managers

May 8, 2017 Price and Costs, Studies

This brief explores a tool that millions of Americans use every day when paying for prescription drugs, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, which impact prescription drug costs, access, and patient care. ...

U.S. Pharmaceutical Pricing in Context

April 25, 2017 Price and Costs, Studies

A more realistic evaluation of U.S. prescription drug prices shows that high drug prices are not actually driving up health care costs overall and reflect the higher U.S. health care costs compared to the rest of the world....

Incenting the Development of Antimicrobial Medicines

November 21, 2016 Blog, Studies

Responding to the problem of drug-resistant infections and the decline in the development of new antibiotics, this study explores ways to incentivize the development of new treatments that will effectively address this growing public health crisis....

The Economics of Pharmaceutical Pricing

June 9, 2014 Price and Costs, Studies

The study examines the market forces influencing the often dramatic price differences in pharmaceutical drugs before and after their patents expire....