Survey nonresponders to a medication-beliefs survey have worse adherence and persistence to chronic medications compared with survey responders.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether nonresponders to a medication-beliefs survey exhibited different adherence and persistence patterns than survey responders.

Methods: A medication-beliefs survey was mailed to 7795 adults aged from 40 to 88 years, who filled a qualifying index prescription (cardiovascular, dyslipidemia, oral-antihyperglycemic, oral-bisphosphonate, and asthma-controller medications) in June 2008 at 1 national and 2 regional retail pharmacies. Adherence and persistence to the index drug class was measured using pharmacy-claims data over 12 months.

Asymmetric responsiveness of physician prescription behavior to drug promotion of competitive brands within an established therapeutic drug class.

This article examines the impact of direct-to-physician, direct-to-consumer, and other marketing activities by pharmaceutical companies on a mature drug category which is in the later stage of its life cycle and in which generics have accrued a significant market share. The main objective of this article is to quantitatively estimate the impact of pharmaceutical promotions on physician prescribing behavior for three different statin brands, after controlling for factors such as patient, physician and physician practice characteristics, generic pressure, et cetera. Using unique panel data of physicians, combined with patient pharmacy prescription records, the authors developed a physician level generalized linear regression model.

The role of patient inexperience in medication discontinuation: a retrospective analysis of medication nonpersistence in seven chronic illnesses.

Background: Previous studies have reported that patients who are medication naive in some medication classes have a higher risk of medication discontinuation during the first 30 days of treatment and shorter median times to discontinuation than do medication-experienced patients.

Objectives: This study compared the risk of discontinuation during the first 30 days after the index fill and the median time to discontinuation for medication-naive and medication-experienced patients who were prescribed drugs for asthma, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, glaucoma, or osteoporosis.

Methods: Deidentified outpatient pharmacy records from 4 large US retail chains were searched for patients who had obtained a prescription for one of the index medications between January 1, 2007, and January 31, 2007.

Assessment of drug consumption patterns for Medicare Part D patients.

Objectives: To assess the time needed to reach the "doughnut hole" (DH) and catastrophic coverage (CC) periods and to identify prescription drug use patterns among patients eligible for the standard Medicare Part D drug benefit.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Data for all prescription drugs dispensed to subjects over age 65 years from November 1, 2006, through February 29, 2008, were obtained from 2 large retail pharmacy chains.

The effect of Medicare Part D coverage on drug use and cost sharing among seniors without prior drug benefits.

This study evaluates the effect of Medicare Part D among seniors who previously lacked drug coverage, using time-trend analyses of patient-level dispensing data from three pharmacy chains. Of 114,766 seniors without drug benefits, 55 percent initiated drug insurance under Part D. After the penalty-free Part D enrollment period, use of statins, clopidogrel, and proton pump inhibitors stabilized at levels ranging from 11 percent to 37 percent above the trend that would have been expected if Part D had not been implemented.

The effect of transitioning to medicare part d drug coverage in seniors dually eligible for medicare and medicaid.

Objectives: To evaluate medication use, out-of-pocket spending, and medication switching during the transition period for patients dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles).

Design: Time-trend analysis, using segmented linear regression.

Setting: Patient-level pharmacy dispensing data from January 2005 to December 2006 from a large pharmacy chain with stores in 34 states.

Adherence and persistence with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy.

Background: Pharmacy database medication refill studies provide a panoramic view of medication-taking behavior in patients nationally.

Objective: To investigate fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination (FSC) adherence, including the factors associated with refill adherence in a large national pharmacy database.

Methods: Adherence and persistence were documented for 12 months from date of initial FSC prescription in 5504 patients who filled their medication at a nationwide pharmacy chain.

Evaluation of a monthly coverage maximum (drug-specific quantity limit) on the 5-HT1 agonists (triptans) and dihydroergotamine nasal spray.

Background: Ensuring the appropriate use of migraine therapies is an important consideration for care providers, patients, employers, and managed care organizations (MCOs) because of the high cost of treatment for this fairly prevalent disabling disease. A review of utilization of serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (triptans) in an MCO determined that about 24% of the patients who received triptan therapy exceeded the manufacturers. recommendations regarding the maximum daily dose and safe treatment guidelines in a 30-day period.

Association of the ADAM33 gene with asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Asthma is a common respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. Although environmental factors such as allergen exposure are risk factors in the development of asthma, both twin and family studies point to a strong genetic component. To date, linkage studies have identified more than a dozen genomic regions linked to asthma.

The LifeSite hemodialysis access system: implications for the nephrology nurse.

A new subcutaneous device--the LifeSite Hemodialysis Access System (Vasca, Inc., Tewksbury, MA)--was designed to overcome limitations of transcutaneous dialysis catheters and is now available for use in the United States. A fully implantable device, the LifeSite System provides immediate, reliable, high-flow vascular access.