The National Consumers League released a survey of 1,035 prescription drug users on therapeutic substitution issues this morning. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive. Full results and additional materials are online at www.nclnet.org/health/switching/ and the press release is at http://www.nclnet.org/news/2008/therapeutic_substitution_10012008.htm.
Patients Surveyed Want Transparency about Therapeutic Switching
- Respondents very much oppose health insurance companies providing incentives to pharmacists (55%) or physicians (55%) for switching patients to lower cost alternatives to medications.
- Vast majorities of respondents (78%) very much favor an explicit requirement to consult the physician before any and all therapeutic substitution takes place.
- Vast majorities of respondents (85%) very much favor a requirement that patients always be notified if their prescription is changed.
- A large majority of the general population are not sure if there is a law in their state that regulates therapeutic substitution (90% of the Rx users), but 50% of Rx users somewhat or very much favor legislation.
Patient Awareness of Therapeutic Switching is Low, but Patients Believe it is Happening
- As expected, awareness of the concept of therapeutic substitution – and the difference with generic substitution – is low.
– 2 of 3 prescription users are unaware therapeutic substitution
– Only 1 in 4 prescription users are unaware that therapeutic substitution involves replacing the prescribed drug with a chemically different one
- The vast majority of Rx users think that therapeutic substitution occurs at least sometimes in the
Switching Doesn’t Always Result in Positive Outcomes
- 15% of general Rx users saying that they or a family member experienced therapeutic substitution
– Nearly half of Rx users (47%) were dissatisfied (or their family was) with how the process occurred and report that this substitution did not result in lower pocket costs.
– More than a third (40%) said that the new medication was not as effective as the original one, and nearly a third (30%) experienced more side-effects following the substitution.
– Large majorities of Rx users think that the potential side effects of the new medication, the patient’s medical history, how well the drug works and the prescribing physician's opinion are factors that are absolutely essential when decisions are made about therapeutic substitution.
For more information including a fact sheet and full summary from Harris, please visit these sites:
- NCL Home page: http://www.nclnet.org/
- NCL Supporting materials: http://www.nclnet.org/health/switching/
- Full Harris summary is also online: http://www.nclnet.org/health/therapeutic_substitution.pdf
