It has become more common for patients to ask questions regarding the cost of the medications they are prescribed. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes medications represent over one quarter (28%) of all health expenditures attributed to diabetes (1). Several studies from around the globe estimate the average person with diabetes is prescribed between 4 and 10 medications (2-5). Given the cost of medications, it has become the role of healthcare professionals to assist patients in navigating the expense of diabetes drugs, including finding out if there are any prescription assistance programs available.
One resource that can be a first stop for healthcare providers is the Fingertip Formulary. This website includes a Formulary Lookup Tool which allows the user to determine formulary drug status for health plans in your area. The tool offers formulary information on the most commonly prescribed drugs. This can help patients identify the cost of a particular medication based on their health plan.
Most pharmaceutical companies offer financial assistance programs to persons who have trouble affording their medications and supplies. Each program has specific criteria that must be satisfied in order for an individual to be considered eligible for a financial assistance program.
Even if a medication is covered on a particular health plan, many pharmaceutical companies also offer “co-pay cards” that can reduce the cost of the co-pay to a smaller amount.
Since offerings change frequently, be sure to speak with your pharmaceutical representatives regarding what is being offered. In addition, anyone can access these programs, so encourage your patients to look into programs. Below is a sampling of reduced co-pay programs currently available:
BenefitsCheckUp is a service of the National Council on Aging that has information on benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. Seniors can search for programs that help them pay for prescription drugs as well as health care, rent, utilities and other needs.
- American Diabetes Association. Economic Costs of Diabetes in the US. Diabetes Care. 2012.
- Akila L et al. Drug utilization study of oral anti-diabetic drugs at a tertiary care (SRM Medical College) hospital in Chennai. Int J Med Res. 2011; 1(3):177-182
- Guidoni CM et al. Prescription patterns for diabetes mellitus and therapeutic implications: a population-based analysis. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012; 56(2):120-127
- Kannan et al. A study on drug utilization of oral hypoglycemic agents in type-2 diabetic patients. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2011; 4(4): 60-64
- Pawaskar et al. Medication utilization patterns among type 2 diabetes patients initiating Exenatide BID or insulin glargine: a retrospective database study. BMC Endocrine Disorders 2013; 13:20-27
