Health systems can cut costs and enhance patient care by evaluating their 340B drug purchases, according to a March 19 report from Pharmacy Practice News.
Samuel Lewis, PharmD, pharmacy business manager at Indianapolis-based Eskenazi Health, said a recent routine 340B audit revealed an opportunity to reduce medication waste and improve patient care.
The health system was ordering 30 milligram vials of the painkiller ketorolac, but in clinical practice, only half was regularly used. Because Eskenazi Health bills insurers for what is used rather than what is ordered, the medication waste was causing lower reimbursements.
After discovering the issue, the system, which operates eight pharmacies, began ordering 15 milligram vials. For most patients, this dosage has fewer side effects and the same efficacy as the higher dose, Dr. Lewis said.
Regarding 340B cost containment practices, Dr. Lewis said, “Some low-hanging fruit is to look at your waste.”
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