A Clinic's Experience with Acquiring Diabetes Medication for Uninsured Patients

Objective: To evaluate the quantity and costs of diabetes medications prescribed at a free clinic serving the uninsured.

Methods: A retrospective analysis is being conducted of patients who received medications during January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 through the patient assistance program.The following information was collected from patient charts and computer and included: drug name, strength, quantity, company name, and retail cost. Drug costs were acquired using the average wholesale price. Interval data was expressed using means and frequencies. Comparisons will be made with the data collected in 2009 and the analysis will be completed using the 2008 information for the final report and will include total number of applications, number of applications by drug company, total retail cost of medications, average cost of medication per patient, and breakdown of diabetes related diseases. Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables while means where calculated for continuous variables.

Results: In 2008, there were over 300 patients seen. The four classes of medications of which information was collected included antihyperglycemics, antihypertensives, antilipidemics, and  antidepressants. In total, 809 prescriptions were secured for these four classes and accounted for $255,000 worth of medications free of charge for uninsured diabetes patients. Comparisons will be made to the 2008 data once the information for 2009 has been collected.

Conclusion: The patient assistance program plays a significant role in a patient’s management of chronic conditions by providing assistance to low income patients who would otherwise go without the needed medications.