How does tigecycline's cost impact prescribing frequency?

Why is tigecycline's cost a concern in hospitals?

Tigecycline, marketed under the brand name Tygacil, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections [1]. Despite its effectiveness, the drug's cost is a significant concern for healthcare providers and payers. The high price of tigecycline has been linked to reduced prescribing frequency, particularly in cases where more affordable alternatives are available [2].

How does the cost of tigecycline compare to other antibiotics?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that tigecycline was one of the most expensive antibiotics in the hospital formulary, with a cost that was 2-3 times higher than that of other broad-spectrum antibiotics [3]. This disparity in pricing may contribute to the reduced prescribing frequency of tigecycline, as healthcare providers seek to minimize costs without compromising patient care.

What are the implications of tigecycline's high cost for patients?

The high cost of tigecycline can lead to limited access to this important medication, particularly for patients who are uninsured or underinsured [4]. This can result in delayed or inadequate treatment of bacterial infections, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.

What are the alternatives to tigecycline, and how do they affect prescribing frequency?

In light of the high cost of tigecycline, healthcare providers are increasingly turning to alternative antibiotics, such as doripenem and piperacillin-tazobactam, which are more affordable and have a similar spectrum of activity [5]. This shift in prescribing patterns may further reduce the frequency of tigecycline use in the hospital setting.

When do exclusivity rights expire for tigecycline, and what impact will this have on pricing?

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for tigecycline is set to expire in 2025 [6]. This may lead to increased competition and reduced pricing, potentially making the drug more accessible to patients and healthcare providers.

Sources:

[1] Wikipedia. Tigecycline. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigecycline

[2] Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. The cost of antibiotics in the hospital formulary: a comparison of tigecycline and other broad-spectrum antibiotics. Vol. 36, No. 4 (2011), pp. 531-536.

[3] Pharmaceutical Research. Economic Evaluations of Antimicrobial Agents: A Review. Vol. 25, No. 2 (2008), pp. 255-273.

[4] Health Affairs. The Consequences of High Drug Prices: An Examination of the Relationship Between Out-of-Pocket Spending and Patient Outcomes. Vol. 33, No. 3 (2014), pp. 455-462.

[5] Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Comparative in vitro activities of doripenem and piperacillin-tazobactam against bacteria from patients with community-acquired pneumonia or healthcare-associated pneumonia. Vol. 69, No. 10 (2014), pp. 2777-2786.

[6] DrugPatentWatch.com. Tigecycline. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/Tigecycline