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  • Association of Industry Payments With Glaucoma Eyedrop Prescribing Patterns

    By Jean Shaw
    Selected and reviewed by Neil M. Bressler, MD, and Deputy Editors
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    Journal Highlights

    JAMA Ophthalmology, September 2022

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    What is the magnitude of the associ­ation between industry payments to U.S. eye care providers by makers of branded prostaglandin analog (PGA) eyedrops and the clinicians’ prescribing patterns? Nguyen et al. investigated this issue and found that recipients of even small amounts of transfers of value (TOV) were more likely to prescribe branded PGA drops than were those with no reported TOV.

    For this retrospective cohort study, the researchers used a nationally repre­sentative 20% sample of 2018 Medicare Part D claims and TOV information reported by industry to the Open Payments program. Optometrists and ophthalmologists who had more than 10 claims for PGA eyedrops in the 20% sample were analyzed. Analyses includ­ed subgroup models for optometrists and ophthalmologists separately as well as subgroups by type of TOV (e.g., con­sulting fees, speaking fees, travel, etc.).

    A total of 20,612 ophthalmologists and 5,426 optometrists prescribed PGAs. Of these, 9,685 (37%) were reported to have received TOV from manufacturers of branded PGA drops in 2018, totaling $5,060,346. The medi­an reported TOV was $65 (range, $24-$147). Results of multivariable logistic regression showed that any receipt of TOV, regardless of the amount, was associated with a twofold increase in the likelihood of prescribing branded PGAs.

    In their conclusion, the authors noted that prospective, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the asso­ciation of industry reported TOV with glaucoma outcomes. In the interim, they said, for eye care professionals who care for patients with glaucoma, “the results of this study suggest a need to revisit policies and attitudes regarding industry interaction.” (Also see related commentary by Roni M. Shtein, MD, MS; Paul R. Lichter, MD, MS; and Paul P. Lee, MD, JD, in the same issue.)

    The original article can be found here.