madman
Super Moderator
Abstract
Objective
To perform a cost analysis of generic and brand-name PDE5 inhibitors at different dosages and pharmacies across the US.
Methods
Using an all-payer retail pharmacy claims database, we analyzed prescription drug data for three generics and six brand-name oral PDE5 inhibitors at different dosages across the US chain and independent pharmacies in 2019.
Results
We obtained cash price data from 60,186 pharmacies (35,976 chains and 24,210 independent). The nationwide mean cash price per unit (PPU) ranged from $8.6±5.2 (sildenafil 20mg at chain pharmacies) to $107.1±71 (Adcirca 20mg at independent pharmacies) equal to a 1,145.3% difference. Chain pharmacies provided significantly lower average prices for one brand name and six generic PDE5 inhibitors. Tadalafil PPU was cheaper at higher quantities, however, PPU increased with the quantity prescribed for sildenafil. Looking at the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas, the highest PPUs were observed for tadalafil (Cialis) 10mg and sildenafil (Viagra) 50mg in Atlanta ($67.4±8.7) and Los Angeles ($50.3±24.0), while New York ($9.7±2.6) and Miami Journal Pre-proof3 ($27.9±16.4) had the lowest PPUs for tadalafil (Cialis) 5mg and sildenafil (Viagra) 100mg, respectively.
Conclusion
A substantial variability in PDE5 inhibitor cash prices exists across manufacturer, dosage, quantity, pharmacy type, and location. In addition, the pricing does not necessarily correlate with the regional socioeconomic factors. This highlights the importance of provider awareness and patient counseling on drug price including potentially assisting patients in identifying opportunities for cost savings.
5. Conclusions
Although PDE5 inhibitors have been proven to be an effective class of drugs for ED, their use is sometimes limited due to cost. Using a large nationwide sample of Journal Pre-proof 15 pharmacies, we found substantial variability in PDE5 inhibitor cash prices by retail pharmacy type, manufacturer, dosage, and quantity. We also found the pricing does not necessarily correlate with the regional socioeconomic factors. This highlights the importance of provider awareness and patient counseling on drug price including potentially assisting patients in identifying the most affordable medication regimen. This study could pave the road toward increased affordability, adherence, and inclusion in the use of this highly effective class of medications.
Objective
To perform a cost analysis of generic and brand-name PDE5 inhibitors at different dosages and pharmacies across the US.
Methods
Using an all-payer retail pharmacy claims database, we analyzed prescription drug data for three generics and six brand-name oral PDE5 inhibitors at different dosages across the US chain and independent pharmacies in 2019.
Results
We obtained cash price data from 60,186 pharmacies (35,976 chains and 24,210 independent). The nationwide mean cash price per unit (PPU) ranged from $8.6±5.2 (sildenafil 20mg at chain pharmacies) to $107.1±71 (Adcirca 20mg at independent pharmacies) equal to a 1,145.3% difference. Chain pharmacies provided significantly lower average prices for one brand name and six generic PDE5 inhibitors. Tadalafil PPU was cheaper at higher quantities, however, PPU increased with the quantity prescribed for sildenafil. Looking at the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas, the highest PPUs were observed for tadalafil (Cialis) 10mg and sildenafil (Viagra) 50mg in Atlanta ($67.4±8.7) and Los Angeles ($50.3±24.0), while New York ($9.7±2.6) and Miami Journal Pre-proof3 ($27.9±16.4) had the lowest PPUs for tadalafil (Cialis) 5mg and sildenafil (Viagra) 100mg, respectively.
Conclusion
A substantial variability in PDE5 inhibitor cash prices exists across manufacturer, dosage, quantity, pharmacy type, and location. In addition, the pricing does not necessarily correlate with the regional socioeconomic factors. This highlights the importance of provider awareness and patient counseling on drug price including potentially assisting patients in identifying opportunities for cost savings.
5. Conclusions
Although PDE5 inhibitors have been proven to be an effective class of drugs for ED, their use is sometimes limited due to cost. Using a large nationwide sample of Journal Pre-proof 15 pharmacies, we found substantial variability in PDE5 inhibitor cash prices by retail pharmacy type, manufacturer, dosage, and quantity. We also found the pricing does not necessarily correlate with the regional socioeconomic factors. This highlights the importance of provider awareness and patient counseling on drug price including potentially assisting patients in identifying the most affordable medication regimen. This study could pave the road toward increased affordability, adherence, and inclusion in the use of this highly effective class of medications.