Possible Review of IVIG Price and Supply
September 02, 2005
Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Nathan Deal (R-GA) recently wrote a letter to Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, regarding the current supply and pricing of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). IVIG is life-saving treatment for patients with autoimmune diseases and is a part of many cancer patients treatment.
The letter was spurred in part by news that Medicare beneficiaries may be having difficulty accessing it.
Johnson and Deal were concerned IVIG was priced higher when patients received it in the hospital as opposed to physician infusion suites or home care settings. Unnecessary hospitalizations are difficult for both the patient and the family and more costly overall. They were also concerned about rumors that the supply of IVIG was insufficient and that facilities were unable to purchase it at any price. The manufactures have stated that there is at least one-month’s supply of IVIG available today.
Johnson and Deal are requesting the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigate the current state of IVIG supply and pricing. They have requested at least a preliminary response to their questions by September 16th. The American Society of Clinical Oncology is currently monitoring the situation and updates can be found on their website.
<< Back
September 02, 2005
Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Nathan Deal (R-GA) recently wrote a letter to Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, regarding the current supply and pricing of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). IVIG is life-saving treatment for patients with autoimmune diseases and is a part of many cancer patients treatment.The letter was spurred in part by news that Medicare beneficiaries may be having difficulty accessing it.
Johnson and Deal were concerned IVIG was priced higher when patients received it in the hospital as opposed to physician infusion suites or home care settings. Unnecessary hospitalizations are difficult for both the patient and the family and more costly overall. They were also concerned about rumors that the supply of IVIG was insufficient and that facilities were unable to purchase it at any price. The manufactures have stated that there is at least one-month’s supply of IVIG available today.
Johnson and Deal are requesting the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigate the current state of IVIG supply and pricing. They have requested at least a preliminary response to their questions by September 16th. The American Society of Clinical Oncology is currently monitoring the situation and updates can be found on their website.
<< Back
