final econ flashcards
(89 cards)
PBM
third-party administrator of prescription drug programs that negotiate prices with drug manufacturers and process claims for insurance companies. However, their tactics can hurt retail pharmacies.
Standing Order
Medical orders authorize healthcare providers to administer a medication or treatment without a specific prescription for an individual patient.
Non-patient specific order
apply to a population of patients without specifying an individual patient, such as a standing order for a vaccination clinic.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of various products, including food, drugs, medical devices, and tobacco products.
Narcan
brand name for naloxone, a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose
Behind the Counter Products
Behind-the-counter products that are only available through pharmacy intervention. These products are not typically located in the OTC aisles, and pharmacists have the authority to dispense them.
Examples of BTC
Examples of BTC products include poxvirus vaccine (Poxvirion) and naloxone (Narcan). or Plan B
Pharmacist authority
Pharmacists in different states have different levels of authority when it comes to dispensing medications, including BTC products. It’s important for pharmacists to be familiar with their state’s laws and regulations.
Over the Counter drugs
Over-the-counter products are medications that are available for purchase without a prescription. However, they are typically paid for by the customer and are not subject to insurance or other reimbursement programs.
Reasons for limits on the prescription drug market
Patents, cost development, externialities, heavily regulated products, etc.
Patents:
Patents limit generic availability and create natural monopolies, which does not follow the law of economics.
Cost development
Research and development for drugs can cost billions of dollars.
Externalities
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse drug events (ADEs) can have negative consequences.
Regulation
The New Drug Application (NDA) process and post-marketing surveillance heavily regulate pharmaceutical products.
Necessities:
Consumers are not the primary decision-makers when it comes to purchasing drugs, which can reduce price sensitivity or elasticity.
Competition
The pharmaceutical market is not perfectly competitive.
Security
Healthcare is considered a security and necessity.
Solvaldi
Solvaldi is a medication used to treat hepatitis C. Most health plans cover it if you have insurance, but it can be expensive at around $84,000 for a full course of treatment. Despite its cost, Solvaldi can be life-saving for those with hepatitis C.
NDA
A review process mandated by the FDA evaluates the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceutical products before they can be approved for sale in the United States.
Post-marketing surveillance
After a drug is approved and made available to the public, post-marketing surveillance requirements require manufacturers to continue monitoring its safety and efficacy to ensure that any potential adverse reactions or risks are identified and addressed promptly.
Bad monopolies
Bad monopolies are illegal and involve a single company ruling a market with little or no competition.
Natural monopolies
Natural monopolies are not necessarily illegal, but they can restrict competition and access to a market. For example, efficient markets like shampoo and milk have multiple brands and manufacturers, while the pharmaceutical market may have only a few companies producing a particular drug due to the high cost of research and development.
Federal Reserve Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 5% from a year ago. Changes in interest rates can impact the economy, including affecting borrowing and lending rates for consumers and businesses.
Consumer Price Index
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that tracks the changes in prices of a basket of goods and services consumed by households over time. It is a widely used indicator of inflation, and it is often used by governments and central banks to guide monetary policy. The CPI is calculated by selecting a base year and a basket of goods and services that represents the consumption patterns of households. The prices of these goods and services are then tracked over time, and the percentage change in the overall price level is calculated. The CPI is often used to adjust wages, salaries, and other payments for inflation.