Case Study of the Effects of Office-Based Generic Drug Sampling on Antibiotic Drug Costs and First-Line Antibiotic Prescribing Ratios
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health plans and members benefit from the substitution of lower-cost drug therapies that achieve the same clinical outcomes as higher-cost drugs. Previous research suggests that generic sampling programs produce drug cost savings overall, but the effects attributable to acute therapies are unknown. Encouraging physicians to prescribe less expensive, first-line antibiotics may help reduce direct drug costs associated with prescribing potentially unnecessary, and more expensive, second-line agents. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of an automated, office-based generic drug sampling kiosk on (a) prescribing of first-line oral antibiotic agents as a ratio of total antibiotic prescribing and (b) average antibiotic drug cost per claim. METHODS: This managed care organization of 2.3 million members with pharmacy benefits collaborated with a vendor that developed an automated generic drug kiosk that allows for the dispensing of samples of generic medications within the prescriber's office. Among the samples contained in the kiosk were 6 generic, first-line oral antibiotics, representing 8 unique drug-strength options. Drug costs were defined as the ingredient cost of the drug claim, which includes plan cost, member cost share, and any dispensing fees or administrative program costs associated with the sampling program. In a difference-in-difference analysis, changes in outcome measures (antibiotic drug cost per claim and dispensing rates of first-line antibiotics)…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 10,267 participants or records.
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