Impact of access restrictions on varenicline utilization. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galaznik, Aaron; Cappell, Katherine; Montejano, Leslie; Makinson, Geoffrey; Zou, Kelly H; Lenhart, Gregory
• Is Part Of: Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research. Volume 13:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 656
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: access restriction -- nicotine replacement therapy -- smoking cessation -- utlization -- varenicline; Pharmacology -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 338.47615105
• DOI: 10.1586/14737167.2013.837770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7167

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of access restrictions on varenicline utilization.Methods: Employer-sponsored health plans contributing to the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database were categorized according to 2009 varenicline access restrictions: no coverage; prior authorization; smoking cessation program requirement; no restrictions. The cohort comprised all adults continuously enrolled in plans during 2009. Each restriction cohort was compared with the no restrictions cohort using descriptive analyses. Data were assessed using logistic regression; demographic and clinical characteristics were covariates.Results: In this study (no coverage, n = 454, 419; prior authorization, n = 171, 530; smoking cessation program, n = 108, 181; no restrictions, n = 607, 389), compared with the no restrictions cohort, the odds of treatment were 71% lower (odds ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.31) in the smoking cessation program cohort (p < 0.001) and 80% lower (odds ratio: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.22) in the prior authorization cohort (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Access restrictions were associated with significantly lower odds for varenicline utilization.