Publications by authors named "Brooke Pugmire"
Background: It has been estimated that more than $8 billion is spent annually on the management of breast cancer in the United States. The taxane chemotherapeutic agents are cornerstones in the treatment of breast cancer, yet no study has assessed whether the choice of a taxane affects the economic outcomes of metastatic breast cancer treatment.
Objective: To determine if differences exist in the medical cost of care in patients receiving taxane-based chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, and to compare the use of ancillary medications (for neutropenia, anemia, and nausea and vomiting) and their associated costs among taxanes.
Objectives: To assess migraine prophylactic drug utilization in the Idaho Medicaid population and to evaluate responsiveness of practitioners to an educational intervention from the Idaho Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Program.
Background: While established guidelines recommend migraine prophylactic therapies for defined patient populations and several drugs have demonstrated efficacy, their actual utilization is reportedly low.
Methods: Profiles for Idaho Medicaid patients were reviewed retrospectively to identify candidates for migraine prophylactic therapy based on excessive triptan utilization.
Background: Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant indicated as adjunctive therapy in acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. Case reports of drug-seeking behavior and utilization of carisoprodol in combination with opioids have suggested abuse potential.
Objectives: We undertook a retrospective review of claims data to identify and characterize potential indicators of abuse in long-term users of carisoprodol and to determine any continued use of the drug by former long-term users following prior authorization implementation.