Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2016 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Drug utilization and medication costs at the end of life.

Pont L1, Jansen K2,3, Schaufel MA2,4, Haugen DF5,6, Ruths S2,3.

Author information

• 1a Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University , North Ryde , Australia.
• 2b Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.
• 3c Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.
• 4d Department of Thoracic Medicine , Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway.
• 5e Regional Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care, Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway.
• 6f Department of Clinical Medicine , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.

Abstract

In the end stages of life, drug treatment goals shift to symptom control and quality of life and as such changes in drug utilization are expected. The aim of this paper is to review the extent to which costs are considered in drug utilization research at the end of life, with a particular focus on the outcome measures being used. This systematic review identified seven studies across varied settings studies reporting both drug utilization and medication cost outcome measures. The main factors identified that impacted medication use and cost were the time period considered and the provision of specialist palliative care services. Combining drug utilization and medication cost outcomes is critical for the allocation of healthcare resources and the development of a sound health policy.