H2 antagonist Rx-to-OTC switch saves $500,000 in managed care setting.
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
H2 ANTAGONIST Rx-TO-OTC SWITCH IN MCO SETTING SAVES $500,000 in half a year, Diversified Pharmaceutical Services Regional Director of Clinical Programs Scott Enos reported at the American Managed Care Pharmacy annual meeting in Philadelphia May 1-2. The DPS program, which mandated the use of OTC H2s in place of low-dose, but not high-dose, Rx acid blockers for ulcer treatment in a managed care organization, "demonstrated a 50% decrease in per member per month (PMPM) cost and a 10% decrease in utilization" of the H2 antagonist, according to Enos. The decreases resulted in an "estimated savings of over $500,000 in the first five months."