A pilot study to determine the cost of pharmaceutical drug treatment for chronic conditions prescribed in relation to patients' age

Abstract

Objective: To determine the age distribution of patients and the total drug cost. To establish the average cost per age group and identify factors that may influence cost. Method: A pilot study was conducted by selecting by convenience sampling a number of patients over 18 years who were registered in the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme with a community pharmacy where the study was carried out. For each patient, type, frequency and cost of medication supplied were identified from treatment cards and from Government Health Procurement Services (GHPS). Key findings: Data was collected for 491 patients (aged between18-98 years) were 272 (55%) were females and 10% (n = 47) were institutionalised. Eight percent (n=395) were prescribed drugs for cardiovascular diseases which constituted 50% of the total drug expenditure. Daily cost per patient was one euro. Pearson correlation value (p<0.05) revealed a significant relationship between the increase in cost, unit doses and number of diseases with increasing age, between gender and different settings. Gender variation between drug categories was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Cost of drug treatment is vital information that financing providers and policy makers require for the allocation of budgets. Findings suggest that populations are ageing, cost increases with age and that gender and setting influence the treatment being provided.