Cost minimization analysis of short-duration antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis C positive donor kidney transplants.

Background: Trials describing 4-12 week courses of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from infected donors to uninfected kidney transplant recipients (D+/R-transplants), may be limited in application by costs and delayed access to expensive DAAs. A short prophylactic strategy may be safer and cost-effective. Here, we report a cost minimization analysis using the health system perspective to determine the least expensive DAA regimen, using available published strategies.

Oral buprenorphine utilization, concomitant benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics, and payment source: Trends from 2015 to 2019.

Introduction: This study describes utilization patterns of oral buprenorphine products indicated for the treatment of opioid use disorder with a focus on patterns consistent with prescribing guidelines and the safe use conditions during induction and maintenance treatment outlined by the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program, including trends over time.

Methods: Using an anonymized longitudinal patient-level dataset that captures information on medical and pharmacy claims in the United States (October 1, 2014 through March 31, 2020), buprenorphine prescriptions, days' supply, and daily dose were described overall and stratified by induction (month 1) vs. maintenance (month 2-6) treatment, along with duration of concomitant benzodiazepines or opioid analgesics.

The cost-effectiveness of pharmacist-physician collaborative care models vs usual care on time in target systolic blood pressure range in patients with hypertension: a payer perspective.

Hypertension is highly prevalent in the United States, affecting nearly half of all adults (43%). Studies have shown that pharmacist-physician collaborative care models (PPCCMs) for hypertension management significantly improve blood pressure (BP) control rates and provide consistent control of BP. Time in target range (TTR) for systolic BP is a novel measure of BP control consistency that is independently associated with decreased cardiovascular risk.

Community pharmacists in Virginia dispensing naloxone under a standing order: A qualitative study.

Background: In 2016, the Virginia Health Commissioner signed a standing order into law allowing licensed pharmacists to dispense opioid receptor antagonists (ORAs) for overdose reversal.

Objectives: Using the theory of planned behavior as an initial guide to study development, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore community pharmacists' attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention toward dispensing ORAs under a standing order in Virginia.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists across the Commonwealth between June 2018 and October 2019.

Cost-effectiveness of syringe service programs, medications for opioid use disorder, and combination programs in hepatitis C harm reduction among opioid injection drug users: a public payer perspective using a decision tree.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence rate among injection drug users (IDUs) in North America is 55.2%, with 1.41 million individuals estimated to be HCV-antibody positive.

Economic burden of pediatric prescription opioid poisonings in the United States.

Among the different drugs involved in pediatric exposures and poisonings, opioids are the most important, given their rise in nonmedical use. Opioid poisonings in children can result in serious symptoms or complications, including respiratory disorders such as apnea, respiratory failure, and respiratory depression; psychiatric or nervous system disorders such as agitation, seizures, and coma; and cardiac disorders such as tachycardia, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest. Opioid poisonings in children can have delayed onset of symptoms as well as severe and prolonged toxic effects.