• Revenue Cycle Management
  • COVID-19
  • Reimbursement
  • Diabetes Awareness Month
  • Risk Management
  • Patient Retention
  • Staffing
  • Medical Economics® 100th Anniversary
  • Coding and documentation
  • Business of Endocrinology
  • Telehealth
  • Physicians Financial News
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cardiovascular Clinical Consult
  • Locum Tenens, brought to you by LocumLife®
  • Weight Management
  • Business of Women's Health
  • Practice Efficiency
  • Finance and Wealth
  • EHRs
  • Remote Patient Monitoring
  • Sponsored Webinars
  • Medical Technology
  • Billing and collections
  • Acute Pain Management
  • Exclusive Content
  • Value-based Care
  • Business of Pediatrics
  • Concierge Medicine 2.0 by Castle Connolly Private Health Partners
  • Practice Growth
  • Concierge Medicine
  • Business of Cardiology
  • Implementing the Topcon Ocular Telehealth Platform
  • Malpractice
  • Influenza
  • Sexual Health
  • Chronic Conditions
  • Technology
  • Legal and Policy
  • Money
  • Opinion
  • Vaccines
  • Practice Management
  • Patient Relations
  • Careers

Solving the Prescription Cost Crisis

Article

Sponsored Content

How physicians can help their patients obtain affordable prescription drugs

The high cost of prescription drugs has been a perennial complaint from patients and a major hurdle to care plan adherence.

Non-adherence itself cost the nation’shealthcare system from $100 billion to $290 billion each year, according to studies reviewed in the Annals of Internal Medicine (AIM). Other research cited by the publication shows that 20% to 30% of prescribed medications are left unfilled by patients, while roughly 50% of medications for chronic diseases aren’t used by patients as prescribed.

Many of these patients have multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and COPD. Other studies reviewed by AIM estimate medication non-adherence causesapproximately 125,000 deaths annually in the U.S. A study published in 2017 concluded that previously hospitalized patients with low and intermediate adherence (combined) had a 30-day readmission rate of 20%, more than twice the 9.3% readmission rate for patients with high adherence.

For some time, the exorbitant cost of medication in the United States has been a contentious issue, particularly for the 14% of the adult population who suffer from diabetes. These individuals can have yearly medical expenses exceeding $16,000.

U.S. physicians have no control or influence on the costs of the drugs they prescribe their patients. Unfortunately, for those without proper medical coverage, this can lead to consequences such as taking on a large financial burden, rationing their medication, or worse, going without their critically needed medication, which can result in deteriorating health or in some cases even become fatal.

Physicians are increasingly cognizant of the cost barriers their patients are facing, and constantly searching for solutions to get their patients the medications they need at a more affordable price.

“I think physicians today are much more conscious of prescription cost than when I started practice,” said Dustin Arnold, D.O., an internist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Back then I didn’t know what one medicine cost compared to another, but now I’m very sensitive to it.”

Every year, thousands of Americans cross the northern border into Canada to fill their prescriptions, taking advantage of substantially lower drug prices available in Canada. In fact, the price for medication in Canada can cost as much as 90% less than in the US due to Canadian government regulations.

For many Americans, crossing the border into Canada is either a massive inconvenience or unthinkable.

Buy Canadian Insulin launched in 2020 with the goal of helping Americans get access to affordable medications and, in some cases, deal with drug shortages. Patients have the ability to search from over 3,000 medications, including drugs for allergies, arthritis, asthma, blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions. Generic equivalent drugs are also available on PG, some of which may not be available in the US market.

Drug Partner Program for American Doctors

In 2021, Buy Canadian Insulin launched its partner program for American doctors interested in helping their patients get access to affordable medications, especially helpful for those individuals without medical coverage, those who have poor coverage, or may not have access to certain drugs.

US doctors can apply to the Buy Canadian Insulin Partner Program by completing a simple application form and scheduling a follow-up call with a support specialist or pharmacist for onboarding.

Benefits provided by the Buy Canadian Insulin Partner Program

  • ZERO-cost membership, no commitments or annual fees.
  • Doctors can help patients SAVE UP TO 90% on medication.
  • With a prescription, patients can order thousands of different medications.
  • Save patients from overpaying on insulin & other medications.
  • Receive a custom coupon code to pass additional savings on to patients.
  • Receive a promotional kit that includes a stand with an 8.5” x 11” custom poster.

The table below compares prices for drugs in the US with those sold on BuyCanadianInsulin.com:

*Prices above may not represent current prices on BuyCanadianInsulin.com and are subject to change.
*The US prices column is sourced from select retail store prices found on GoodRX and may also be subject to change.

Why should Americans order from BuyCanadianInsulin.com?

Easy-to-use patient dashboard

Once patients have set up an account, they can securely place orders or refill prescriptions through the website. Prescriptions can be uploaded through the patient dashboard, emailed, or faxed.

Medications are shipped to your patient’s door

All orders are processed within one business day and delivered to patients within seven to 10 business days. Cold-chain medications, such as insulin, are shipped in temperature-sensitive packaging using medical-grade ice packs, medical-grade containers, or portable coolers (for an additional charge), to maintain integrity upon delivery.

Helpful & friendly customer service

If patients have any questions, our customer support team is available during regular business hours detailed on our website by calling the toll-free number, via live chat, or by email.

Bulk savings on select medication

Patients can order up to a 90-day supply on BuyCanadianInsulin.com. While the site already offers competitive pricing, select products can be purchased in bulk to offer patients additional savings. For example, Humalog can cost $362 per vial in the US. Through Buy Canadian Insulin, Humalog can be purchased for $70 per vial or you can buy three vials for $150 ($50 a vial). That’s an impressive 86% savings.

Sponsored By:

Related Videos
John Showalter, MD