Changes in Prices and Eye-Care Providers Prescribing Patterns of Glaucoma Medications in the United States Between 2013 and 2019.

PRECIS

Brand glaucoma medication prices vastly increased in the United States over the past 7 years, despite a reduction in eye-care providers' tendency to prescribe brand medications over generics.

PURPOSE

Determine the changes in prices of brand and generic glaucoma medications and to identify changes in eye-care providers prescribing patterns since 2013.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) database (2013-2019) was used analyze per-unit drug price. Medicare Part D prescriber profile was used to identify eye-care providers prescribing patterns between 2013 and 2017.

RESULTS

Brand-name medication prices increased by 59% between 2013 and 2019, while generic medications decreased by 22%. Brand-name drugs were 13 to 162 times more expensive than their generic counterparts. Eye-care Providers prescribed 25% less brand name medications in 2017 compared with 2013.

CONCLUSION

Brand glaucoma medication prices vastly increased in the United States over the past 7 years, despite a reduction in eye-care providers' tendency to prescribe brand medications over generics. A change in government policy, allowing Medicare medication prices negotiations, could greatly reduce health expenditure on glaucoma treatment.