NHIA: Pandemic shortages sent drug prices soaring
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:53 AM CST, Wed February 8, 2023
WASHINGTON – Prices for parenteral nutrition (PN) components and disposable supplies rose dramatically during the pandemic due to supply chain challenges and shortages, according to a new white paper from the National Home Infusion Association. “It’s important that payers have a full understanding of the context in which home infusion providers are delivering high-quality, cost-effective care and work to reflect those factors in their reimbursement models,” said Connie Sullivan, BSPharm, president and CEO of the NHIA. “Most of us are familiar with pandemic supply chain issues and associated price increases, but for many home infusion providers those challenges have combined with prolonged product shortages and other market dynamics to stress their ability to provide services to patients who need them.” An analysis of 402,940 bags of PN from 12 home infusion providers found a cumulative five-year price increase per bag of PN of 50.12% over 2016 costs. In addition, the mean overall cost increase for 223 disposable supplies in 2021 was 9.88%. Prior to 2021, the typical cost increase was reported by the distributor to be, on average, 5% annually. The white paper offers recommendations for payers regarding ways to ensure complex home infusion services such as PN remain widely available. Integrated Medical Systems and WellSky contributed to the report.
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