The article, named as “The continued need for independent research on prescription drugs” by John F Hoadley talks about the cost pressure being faced by public and purchasers of the private sector in relation to prescription medications. It also discusses the debates over the policies framed by Medicaid and Medicare in regards to the drug benefits covered by them.
The cost of Pharmaceutical goods is summing up to huge amounts, and is growing at a rapid pace; it is one of the most worrisome areas for the federal health policy makers. In the last few years, the United States are fighting to address the rising cost of drugs under Medicaid and the benefits that are offered to the employees of the state. This particular essay focuses on examining the funding for the purpose of research on drugs through prescription, focusing majorly on two important areas. Firstly, it focuses on the research that is being conducted to determine the cost effectiveness of the drugs. It has become highly important to analyse the value of various drugs which can treat the same condition, and also if the drug with a higher cost is justifiable having greater value. Secondly, it also focuses on the research which is intended to provide information about the policy debate and management of drug benefits. The paper supports the fact that the government needs to fund a good amount of money to ascertain the cost effectiveness of various drugs.
The debate of Medicare over the issue of importing drugs from Canada owing to their cost effectiveness brings the increased need for research on the cost variations of medicines. The government may not always prefer to step into a sensitive issue like this one, but a clearer understanding of the pricing strategy is required for the ones who are framing the policies which intend to bring about affordable programs (Hoadley, 2004).
The second article, named as “Issues behind the medical legislation: the view from an economist”, written by Cynthia Saltzman, talks about the two main driving issues contributing to the latest changes that have been brought into Medicare. The first change is the rising cost of prescription drugs in the US which is relatively higher than other countries. Second area of concern is the very high number of the senior citizens who do not have prescription drug coverage. It can be seen that almost 44% of the non covered Medicare beneficiaries belong to the income range of $10,000 to $20,000. Studies suggest that the price of prescription drugs in the US has been the highest among all the industrialised countries. Direct controls on the price of prescription drugs have not been employed appropriately in the States. It is high time that we need to frame a policy on prescription drugs which can fulfil the needs of all the sectors of people involved in the entire cycle, namely, the politicians, patients and the pharmaceutical companies. Such a policy can be a viable and a feasible one which will cover the needs of all the sections (Saltzman, 2004).
I find the quantitative articles easier to comprehend and analyze. A quantitative data always provides better ground for understanding and gives a strong base on which the hypotheses stand. If I go for a research project then I will definitely choose the quantitative method. It gives more meaning and better statistical result to the study.
Please write the address
The Governor
Please write the address
Dear Mr,
The increasing cost of prescription drugs has become a matter of great concern for the general people. Medical aid is becoming more and more expensive with each passing year (Godfrey, 2010). The common people are not reluctant to pay more money for a drug which is more effective than its cheaper counterpart. But the general population will definitely like to know the basis on which the price of a drug is decided. A relatively expensive drug must have proven benefits over the cheaper alternatives. On the other hand, the Medicare coverage of drug benefits does not cover all the needy sections of the society. These further add up to the miseries of the common people. It is important to ensure maximum coverage of prescription drugs under various policies to ensure a healthier nation and a more affordable care.
I request you to kindly look into the matter and invest funds in analysing the cost effectiveness of prescription drugs. It is important to bring about a fair pricing strategy so that health care remains within the reach of all the sectors of the society. On the other hand, it is equally important for the government authorities like you to ensure that there is a fair negotiation with the policy makers of services like Medicare and Medicaid so that the ailing population which remains non- covered under various health policies can also enjoy a healthy and happy life.
I look forward to hear from you regarding the steps taken in this regard. Please let me know if I can be of any help in any manner.
Best regards
References
Godfrey, T. (2010). Nursing beyond borders: Access to healthcare for documented and undocumented Immigrants living in the US. American Nursing Association. Retrieved 9 January 2017, from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/Issue-Briefs/Access-to-care-for-immigrants.pdf
Hoadley, J. (2004). The Continued Need For Independent Research On Prescription Drugs. Health Affairs, 23(1), 244-249. http://dx.doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.23.1.244
Saltzman, C. (2004). ISSUES BEHIND THE NEW MEDICARE LEGISLATION: THE VIEW FROM AN ECONOMIST. Journal Of Financial Service Professionals, 58(2), 13-13+.
