title: A survey of physician knowledge of drug costs.
abstract: Previous studies have indicated that physicians have inadequate knowledge of drug costs. This study was designed to determine actual pharmacy prices of 12 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physicians' knowledge of these prices. Pharmacists (N = 67) in a large urban area were surveyed to determine the lowest retail price of commonly prescribed medications. Pain clinic and orthopedic physicians (N = 95) were surveyed to determine their knowledge of prices for 12 NSAIDs. There was wide variation between pharmacies in the cost of medications. Eighty-one percent of physicians agreed that cost is an important factor to consider. Only 25% of physicians estimated at least one-half of the medications between the highest and lowest pharmacy price. The results of this study indicate that physicians need more information about prices of medications they prescribe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7838, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Barefield
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramamurthy
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000191:economics*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D011306:Prescription Fees
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal