A cost analysis of medications prescribed by vascular surgeons.

Objective: Various pharmaceutical cost options have been developed by multiple companies such as GoodRx, Amazon Pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs (CPD), Health Warehouse, and local retail pharmacies) to curb the cost of prescription medications prices that patients are having to bear. Vascular surgeons provide long-term continuity of care to patients with vascular disease who often require long-term medical management. This study sought to compare the different pharmaceutical options available for the most prescribed medications by vascular surgeons to their patients and to understand which of them are the most cost-effective.

Methods: The Medicare Part D catalog and vascular surgical literature were evaluated to identify which medications are most prescribed by vascular surgeons. The average price per tablet being paid by patients was identified using the Agency for Healthcare and Research database. The prices per tablet for each of the above pharmaceutical companies were found using online catalogs or coupons. The prices were then compared using analysis of variance and t-tests.

Results: All four pharmaceutical cost options provide medication cost savings to patients compared with retail pharmacy costs. Analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences among the different pharmaceutical cost options (F 15.44>2.36; P < .001). Mark Cuban CPD provided the most significant cost advantage over the other pharmaceutical options (P < .01). On a national scale, medications prescribed by vascular surgeons through Mark Cuban CPD could provide a 52% cost reduction to patients with vascular disease with a potential annual savings of over $3 billion dollars for the selected medications.

Conclusions: CPD shows a strong potential for cost savings for patients commonly prescribed medications by vascular surgeons. As a specialty that provides long-term care and establishes long-term relationships with its patients, vascular surgeons have the unique ability to impact their overall health in a meaningful way by limiting the financial burdens associated with vascular-based medication acquisition and utilization.