What I learned week 1

What I learned this week

The main thing I learned this week about the pharmaceutical industry is that they are trying to shift into a value based system.  Companies are also trying to engage with consumers through technology i.e. apps to have them more involved, BUT the health industry is behind other industries when it comes to technology. I also learned the challenges with our changing health care system in the US. For example, in the U.S adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance until the age of 26, after you turn 26 you are expected to get on your own healthcare insurance plan; but young adults are not following. Young adults do not feel the need to pay high premiums and monthly rates for health insurance they most likely won’t be using frequently. In addition, three years of sustained pressure on the biopharmaceutical industry’s drug pricing practices may lead to new pricing restrictions in 2017.

Another interesting topic I learned about this week is that patients have poor adherence to their regimens. 50 to 60 percent are likely to skip medications, follow-up appointments, and other treatment protocols. An estimated 125,000 unnecessary deaths occur each year in the United States because patients don’t follow their regimens. The three main things doctors are trying to do are predict behaviors, and personalize intervention. For example, design and test interventions to assess effectiveness, develop comprehensive view of patient with real-world data and Offer personalized interventions designed for patients’ specific drivers of non adherence.

1.       Physicians feel it will be more difficulty to deliver high quality care in the next 2 years

2.       Caution with respect to adopting technology/making changes simply because it is available. Need proof It is improving healthcare

3.       Physicians still like fee for service

a.       Value based system = patient outcomes

b.       If patients are re-admitted to the hospitals for poor patient adherence, the hospital must pay for it

4.       Physicians are being re-integrated into healthcare organization decision making processes

5.       Healthcare organizations are integrating

6.       Pharma under increasing pressure for pricing transparency

a.       Physicians sensitive to drug costs for their patients