At Harris College, we prioritize a paradigm shift towards preventive care. By emphasizing
early interventions and lifestyle modifications, we aim to reduce the reliance on
prescription medications. Our focus on preventive care aligns with our mission to
promote holistic health and wellness, empowering our students to lead transformative
change in health care delivery and policy.
We spoke with Associate Professor of Professional Practice in nursing and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner Kimberly Posey, Ph.D., DNP, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, to learn more on the subject and discuss possible solutions for medication affordability.
What role does the FDA approval process play in the pricing and accessibility of new medications?
Posey: The FDA approval process significantly impacts drug prices by determining which new drugs can enter the market. The introduction of new drugs, particularly those that are highly effective and target widespread conditions, can drive up costs due to high demand and limited competition initially. However, over time, as more drugs are approved and enter the market, competition can help lower prices.
What can individuals do if they are struggling to afford their medications?
Posey: For those struggling to pay for medications, consider these options: Use services like NeedyMeds to find patient assistance programs or GoodRx for discount cards that reduce prescription costs. Also, explore government support like Medicaid, which can help if you meet the eligibility criteria. These resources can make your medications more affordable.
How does the Medicare Part D coverage policy shift affect the accessibility of medications?
Posey: With the new cardiovascular risk reduction indication, Wegovy, for example, is a prescription injectable medication used to help adults with obesity or overweight manage their weight and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, will now be covered under Medicare Part D. Typically, Medicare has a statutory prohibition against covering anti-obesity medications. However, this new coverage reflects a major shift in policy, allowing older adults on Medicare Part D to access this medication. This expanded indication is likely to increase both the utilization of Wegovy and its coverage by insurance providers.
What challenges do we face in shifting the U.S. health care system towards preventive care?
Posey: The U.S. health care system is very divided, which makes it hard to shift focus broadly. Instead of just building more hospitals for treating long-term illnesses, we need more effort in preventing these diseases. This means improving access to healthy food, creating safe places for exercise, adding more green spaces and making wellness programs affordable and available to everyone. Also, with many older people relying on medications for their chronic conditions, changing this dependency on drugs quickly is challenging.
Harris Talks is a thought leadership series where our faculty experts tackle pressing questions on current health care topics. This series enriches our health care education and practice, equipping our students with the knowledge to effectively address complex health challenges.