Publications by authors named "Paul Urick"
Background: Despite the availability of new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, changes in DAA reimbursement criteria, and a public health focus on hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, it remains unclear if public and private insurers have increased access to these therapies over time. We evaluated changes in the incidence of absolute denial of DAA therapy over time and by insurance type.
Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among patients who had a DAA prescription submitted from January 2016 to April 2017 to Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.
Disparities in Absolute Denial of Modern Hepatitis C Therapy by Type of Insurance.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol
July 2016
Background & Aims: The high costs of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have resulted in denials of treatment, but it is not clear whether patients' access to these therapies differs with their type of insurance.
Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among all patients who had a DAA prescription submitted between November 1, 2014 and April 30, 2015 to Burman's Specialty Pharmacy, which provides HCV pharmacy services to patients in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We determined the incidence of absolute denial of DAA prescription, defined as a lack of approval of a prescription fill by the insurer, according to type of insurance (US Medicaid, US Medicare, or commercial insurance).
Objective: To briefly review steps that should be followed in the progression from considering therapeutic options on the basis of evidence-based medicine (EBM) to implementing formulary decisions and clinical guidelines.
Summary: Results from EBM should guide selection of therapy for routine clinical practice. Pharmacists must spend considerable time carefully reviewing the designs and results of clinical trials and postmarketing information to develop accurate safety and efficacy profiles.