Impact of Ivacaftor on Medication Use, Hospital and Outpatient Provider Visits and Associated Costs in a Medicaid Population
Authors
Leo, Sam M.Lowe, Maria M.
Alper, Caroline J.
Lee, Karen W.
Lenz, Kimberly J.
Liou, Gloria
Pomfret, Thomas C.
Price, Mylissa K.
Tesell, Mark A.
Jeffrey, Paul L.
Document Type
Poster AbstractPublication Date
2013-05-08Keywords
Health and Medical AdministrationHealth Services Administration
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Translational Medical Research
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND: Ivacaftor is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved medication to treat an underlying genetic defect in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). With an approximate annual cost of $300,000 per patient, ivacaftor may have a profound financial impact on health systems, even when utilized by a small population. Clinical data has demonstrated that treatment with ivacaftor may reduce pulmonary exacerbations (PE) and associated hospitalizations. As a result, patients receiving ivacaftor may need less outpatient care and fewer medications to treat CF complications. Evaluating the impact of ivacaftor therapy on medication utilization, PEs and hospital/outpatient visits can aid formulary decision makers in its effective management. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to examine the effects of ivacaftor on patients’ overall medication regimen and associated costs within a Medicaid population. The secondary objective is to examine its effect on the rates of PEs and hospital/outpatient visits. METHODS: Pharmacy and medical claims data for Medicaid members ≥ six years of age was collected for six months before and after the first reported pharmacy claim of ivacaftor. Data included: total number of unique claims, days supply, dose, and total cost for each medication, number of short-term antibiotic and/or steroid courses, outpatient provider visits, hospitalizations, ER visits and corresponding diagnosis codes. Diagnosis codes and short-term antibiotic and/or steroid courses were reviewed to determine if a PE may have occurred. RESULTS: Ivacaftor treatment did not decrease the utilization of medications used to treat patients with CF and resulted in increased pharmacy expenditures for other medications. However, a 65% reduction in PEs as well as a reduction in hospitalizations/ER visits was observed in members receiving ivacaftor. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that while ivacaftor treatment may not decrease total medication utilization or associated costs, it may decrease the number of PEs and associated hospitalizations in patients with CF.DOI
10.13028/pe0n-ge42Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/27813Rights
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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.13028/pe0n-ge42