 Spectrum --
August 2008
 Introduction:
Medicare Part D, the outpatient prescription drug benefit
introduced in January 2006, had an immediate impact on the U.S. pharmaceutical
market and now accounts for almost one-fifth of prescription drug sales.
Cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases,
immune/inflammatory disorders, and several other key conditions account for a
substantial share of Medicare Part D prescribing. This report, featuring 36
data-based figures and 15 statistical tables, examines health insurance and prescribing
patterns in 2006 and 2007 for 16 key indications among the senior population.
The report also examines Medicare Part D plans’ coverage of best-selling drugs
in these indications and assesses the outlook for the Medicare drug benefit.
Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy:
 Medicare Part D enrollment is forecast to grow from 27.1
million in 2006 to 60.1 million in 2030. How are employers responding to the
introduction of the Medicare drug benefit? What are the implications of growing
Medicare Part D enrollment for branded drug manufacturers?
In 2007, Medicare Part D provided prescription drug coverage
for at least half of patients aged 65 or older in 15 out of 16 indications that
are common in the senior population. In which indication did Medicare Part D
fund drug treatment for a minority of senior patients? Which indications had
the highest levels of Medicare Part D coverage?
Formulary positioning and utilization restrictions such as
prior authorization and step therapy have a major influence on prescribing
patterns. Which drugs have the most advantageous formulary placement? Which
products are most commonly subjected to prior authorization or step therapy?
What coinsurance and copayment strategies do Medicare Part D plans pursue?
The national elections in November 2008 will change the
political environment for U.S. healthcare in general and the Medicare program
in particular. What policies have the presumptive Democratic and Republican
presidential candidates proposed for Medicare reform? How do they view the
research-based pharmaceutical industry?
Scope:
Market impact of Medicare Part D: program’s share of
the U.S. pharmaceutical market from 2006 through 2017 (projected); limited
contribution to market growth.
Key Medicare Part D therapeutic areas: cardiovascular
diseases; metabolic disorders; infectious diseases; immune/inflammatory
disorders; other conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, benign prostatic
hyperplasia).
Coverage trends by therapeutic area: formulary
positioning of leading brands; use of prior authorization and step therapy
restrictions; coinsurance and copayment trends.
Outlook for Medicare Part D: sustained growth of the
Medicare Population; regulatory reforms; changing political climate.
|
