Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs: A Model for Providing Evidence-Based Health Information ~

1. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs: A Model for Providing Evidence-Based Health Information ~ Iowa Health Buyers Alliance Seminar October 25, 2006 Lynn Ohman Outreach Team Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs

2. About Consumer Reports • Trusted source of objective information since 1936 • Accepts no advertising and is independent of all commercial interests including drug companies • Independent • Non-profit

3. Mission: • Provide unbiased in-depth information on prescription drugs for consumers and doctors • Increase access and affordability to needed medicines • Relieve financial burden caused by high drug prices Public Information Project of Consumers Union – Supported with Funding from National Library of Medicine and the Engelberg Foundation

5. Goals for Consumers • Provide them with objective information on effectiveness of prescription drugs • Help them open a discussion about drug costs with their doctor • Help them afford the medicines they need (copayments, donut, uninsured)

6. Identifying CR Best Buy Drugs • Start with credible source of unbiased, rigorous analysis of clinical evidence about drug effectiveness (DERP) • Intense medical input through consultants, internal CU review, and medical peer review • Selections based on effectiveness, safety record, and price

7. Present Information in Easy to Use Format(back side of 2 page report)

8. The Statins • Introduction of generics: changing marketplace • Huge stakes: $8 billion for Medicare beneficiaries alone • Major health consequences of greater affordability

9. Possible Annual Savings: 5 Categories • Statins $1,300 (cholesterol) • Proton Pump Inhibitors: $1,740 (acid reflux and ulcers) • NSAIDs $2,200 (arthritis and pain) • Anti-depressants $1,200 • Beta Blockers $1,900 (high blood pressure)

11. Average Cost Plan Highest Cost Plan

12. Reactions: • “Easy-to-Use Drug Reports Help Patients and Physicians Weigh Costs, Benefits” --JAMA • “Consumer Reports sets the bar in providing RxSelection Advice” -- Forrester • Numerous links from medlineplus.gov

13. Outreach and Intermediaries • Five states (GA, CA, AZ, MN, and MD) • Pharmacists, Doctors, Libraries, Senior groups, Employer and Employee Organizations • Recruit your doctor campaign • New arrangement with Medco

17. www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org

19. What can Best Buy Drugs do for purchasers of health benefits? • Source of free, trusted, unbiased information about drug choices • Improve employee health care, since they are better informed about effectiveness and safety • Lower prescription drug costs, when employees select equally effective, safe, lower-cost drugs

20. How can health benefits purchasers make use of Best Buy Drugs Information? • Link to www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org • Discuss with health insurers and health benefit consultants • Education campaigns focused on specific drug categories • Pilot projects testing ability to influence market share of high cost vs. low cost effective drugs • Distribute print materials

21. Change the information model from:

22. To: unbiased, evidence-based information