Adam Fein at Drug Channels pointed me to a June 2022 report from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) on the price of drugs. The report is full of tidbits on drug spending. For example, the report states that prescription drug spending represents only 14% of health care expenditures. It is true that drugs are the best value in health care (especially over-the-counter drugs but that was not in the report). While it is true that drugs tend to be a better value than, say hospitals, not all drugs are of equal value. (That too was not in the report.)
Category: Devon Herrick
Make Sure that “Free” Obamacare Health Screening is Actually Free
Yet another article on making sure your “free” health screenings under Obamacare are actually free. When something is as convoluted and bureaucratic as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) there are bound to be problems. Since late 2010, when this provision of the ACA took effect, many patients have paid nothing when they undergo routine mammograms, get one of more than a dozen vaccines, receive birth control, or are screened for other conditions, including diabetes, colon cancer, depression, and sexually transmitted diseases. That can translate to big savings, especially when many of these tests can cost thousands of dollars.
Women May Lose Access to Autoimmune Drug That is Also Used in Abortions
Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and in higher doses some cancers. Methotrexate is not safe to take during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects and is also used to end life-threatening ectopic pregnancies. When paired with the drug misoprostol it is used to induce a medical abortion.
Why Americans Cannot Have Better Sunscreens
On the 4th of July millions of Americans will head outdoors. They will hit the beach, hit local lakes or do outdoor activities like hiking, biking, baseball or picnics, cookouts and pool parties with friends. Many will slather on sunblock before heading outdoors for activities in the sun. Many of those will forget to reapply sunscreen…