Researchers are urging more transparency and independent evaluation of patient support programs (PSPs) offered by pharmaceutical companies, especially for high-cost drugs.
Key Findings
- A study in Canada found that 10% of prescription drugs had associated PSPs.
- These programs were mostly tied to expensive biologic drugs, which make up just 10% of the market but over half of all PSP offerings.
Do these programs provide real value for money and meet patient health needs?
PSPs often include services like medication access, education, and adherence support. However, neither patients nor insurers pay directly for these programs—costs are likely included in drug pricing.
Researchers call for more clarity and analysis to determine which supports are most effective and cost-efficient.
