Abstract
We previously showed that a multifaceted intervention designed to contain costs of prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) at a Veterans Affairs hospital resulted in substantial projected savings. Intervention components included clinician education and pharmacy and computer information process changes. We now report on effects of altering the intervention to promote prescribing of generic fluoxetine. Over 30 months, fluoxetine’s market-share increased from 12 to 32% of all SSRIs prescribed. A total of $2,500,000 in cost avoidance resulted from substituting generic for brand fluoxetine, and $600,000 resulted from increases in market-share of fluoxetine. The results highlight the robustness and flexibility of the intervention approach.
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We gratefully acknowledge Michael Sernyak MD for providing national VA data for comparison, and Kathryn Corson PhD for editing the manuscript. The research reported here was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development Service, MHI 20-020 and RCD 04-129. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Steven K. Dobscha is affiliated with the Behavioral Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA and Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Lisa M. Winterbottom is affiliated with the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA and Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Lisa M. Winterbottom and LeAnn S. Snodgrass are affiliated with the Portland Center for the Evaluation of Clinical Services, Portland, OR, USA.
Address correspondence to Steven K. Dobscha, M.D., Behavioral Health and Clinical Neurosciences Division, Portland VA Medical Center, P. O. Box 1034 (P3MHDC), Portland, 97207 OR, USA; e-mail: steven.dobscha@med.va.gov
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Dobscha, S.K., Winterbottom, L.M. & Snodgrass, L.S. Reducing Drug Costs at a Veterans Affairs Hospital by Increasing Market-share of Generic Fluoxetine. Community Ment Health J 43, 75–84 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-006-9062-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-006-9062-7