States' control of prescription drug spending: a heterogeneous approach.
In an effort to balance Medicaid budgets, states use prescription drug cost containment tools in unique ways and in varying combinations. We report on the variability in state-level strategies to control the cost of prescription drugs and describe broad state-to-state differences in per beneficiary spending on drugs. This heterogeneity raises the question of appropriate state program variability. Research is needed to determine the medically, ethically, and legally most suitable means of controlling drug costs, especially as the Medicare Part D drug plan will likely recapitulate the prescription drug program variability observed among the states.
Morden
Nancy E
NE
University of Washington, in Seattle, USA. morden@u.washington.edu
Sullivan
Sean D
SD
D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006278:Medicare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States