Contrary to assumptions, once-a-day pills for combating HIV are actually less expensive than multi-tablet regimens and also offer an added bonus — patient adherence is greater, which suggests healthier outcomes, according to a new analysis of pharmacy claims.
To wit, overall medicine costs for patient taking single-tablet regimens were $6,100 less a year when compared regimens requiring multiple pills, among those who were taking the pills as they should. On average, health plans would save $4,162 per patient each year if they switched to clinically equivalent single-tablet regimens. Meanwhile, patient adherence was nearly 75 percent among those taking once-daily pills versus 65 percent for those on multi-tablet regimens.
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After this careful explanation, the takeaway seems to be “spend more, save more.” (More money, more people … other?) This post will need a second or third reading to fully understand this conundrum.