Asthma is a common disease and has a range of severity, from a very mild, occasional wheeze to acute, life-threatening airway closure.’’ (Lee & McDonald, 2018). The cost of asthma medicine became prohibitive. In a matter of years, it shot from $10 to $100. Patients with low incomes find it difficult to make purchases during certain seasons. The rise in allergies is not helped by climate change either. Hospitalization rates rise as a result of medication shortages. In NJ, some communities with a diverse population also have the highest rates of asthma. Decisions made on law and policy are not in line. Take into consideration the inhaler scenario below. A rather uncomfortable fact exists. In the United States, the corticosteroid inhaler QVAR RediHaler, manufactured by Teva Pharmaceutical, is sold for $286. Teva charges $9 for the same inhaler in Germany. By 2023, more than 25 million Americans lacked health insurance. It is evident that those with lower incomes are impacted first. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlawed CFC inhalers in 2008 due to their potential to deplete the ozone layer. HFA was employed in place of CFCs, and it appeared to be much more environmentally friendly. They also cost a lot more. An albuterol inhaler costs $98 today.
Patients try to get in touch with non-profits, shop online, and ask manufacturers about patient assistance programs. Coupon programs and patient assistance are no longer available from Teva. Some American patients travel to Mexico to buy inhalers. Over there, inhalers cost roughly $9. Additionally, there have been reports of Americans shopping for asthma inhalers at significantly lower costs in Canadian pharmacies. Inhalers must be used by patients every day. Because of the medication shortage, NP is unable to provide education on symptom management. Care is delayed as a result..Being in a low socioeconomic status increases one’s risk of contracting various illnesses, lengthen the hospital stay. NP can provide recommendations for school policies based on firsthand observations made in their communities. When do state-level government regulations become inconsistent, Impossible to raise the standard of living. Management of policies is required. NP is capable of standing up for patients and giving superior care. ‘’Nurse practitioners who engage in health policy development at the national level may work with other health professionals to adopt or change guidelines put forth by the Cnters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). ‘’ (Coloff, 2020).
Term policy refers that determines how care is administered or accessed to the decisions, goals, and actions. It is important because establishes guidelines that benefit patients. The United States will not compromise on a new drug’s price in light of its benefits. This underlying issue permits drugs to be priced exorbitantly. Regardless of the cost or value they offer. To set ceiling prices for new drugs based on incremental value, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review needs to receive authorization in the United States. The cost of prescription medications is constantly rising. Federal legislation is required in the United States to stop price increases. For more expensive medications, doctors are paid more when they prescribe parental drugs. They don’t search for a patient’s convenience.
Reference
Rutschman, A. S. (2024, March 10). Why Asthma Medication Is So Expensive in the U.S. US. News. https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities
References
Coloff, K. (2020, November 16). Be the Change: NPs in Health Policy Development. Minority Nurse. https://minoritynurse.com
Lee, J., McDonald, C. (2018, August). Review: Immunotherapy improves some symptoms and reduces long-term medication use in mild to moderate asthma. Ann Intern Med. 21;169(4):JC17
Rajkumar, V. S., (2020, June). The high cost of prescription drugs: causes and solutions. Blood Cancer Journal 10(6). Doi: 10.1038/s41408-020-0338-x