Low use of standard-of-care antiparasitic drugs and increased estimated outpatient payments for treating schistosomiasis in the United States, 2013-19 Journal Article uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • Drug utilization and payment estimates for standard-of-care treatment of schistosomiasis have not been reported previously in the United States. This study estimates the utilization of praziquantel (standard-of-care drug) among patients with schistosomiasis and outpatient payments among those who were treated with praziquantel, and investigates the factors associated with praziquantel use from 2013-19 using IBM's MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Claims data showed that only 21% of patients with schistosomiasis diagnoses were treated with praziquantel. The mean total drug payments per patient treated with praziquantel increased from $110 in 2013-14 to $612 in 2015-18 (P < 0.01), and use decreased. These factors, including residing in a rural area, having a documented Schistosoma haematobium infection, or having a first schistosomiasis diagnosis in 2015-16, were associated with a decreased likelihood of patients receiving standard-of-care treatment. Policy solutions to exorbitant drug pricing, and better awareness and education among healthcare providers about schistosomiasis-especially those practicing in rural areas with high immigrant populations-are needed.

  • Link to Article
    publication date
  • 2022
  • Research
    keywords
  • Drugs and Drug Therapy
  • Economics
  • Immigrants
  • Parasitic Diseases
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 107
  • issue
  • 4