Although the health plans don’t pay doctors to help patients “shop for medicines,” I have learned that they do pay doctors to switch their prescriptions from branded to generic. Of course, this entire struggle between health plan and brand-name drugmaker is entirely invisible to the patient, and, therefore, likely results in perverse outcomes.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Why Can’t Doctors Tell Patients How Much Meds Cost?
John R. Graham
Although the health plans don’t pay doctors to help patients “shop for medicines,” I have learned that they do pay doctors to switch their prescriptions from branded to generic. Of course, this entire struggle between health plan and brand-name drugmaker is entirely invisible to the patient, and, therefore, likely results in perverse outcomes.
I participate in the discussion over at this health policy blog.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.