Getting Old Is A Costly Business - Prescription Costs For Males Higher

Main Category: Men's health
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging;  Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 04 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Independent research, involving over 3 million Italians, conducted by Henley Management College and the University of Milan has concluded that the prescription costs for men over the age of 65 is significantly higher than it is for women. The study is published in the July 4th issue of the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE.

The primary objective of this study was to make the first step in the modelling of pharmaceutical demand in Italy to improve the governance of prescribing funds.

The research found that the mean annual prescription cost per individual was similar for males (196.13 euros) and females (195.12 euros). However after 65 years of age, the mean prescribing costs for males were significantly higher than females. On average, costs for a 75-year-old man would be 12 times the costs for a 25-34 year-old subject if male, 8 times if female. Subjects over 65 years of age (22% of total population) accounted for 56% of total prescribing costs.

This research is able to pinpoint the future resources required by the Italian Regional Health Authorities according to the demographics of specific regional populations.

(Age/Sex Standardised Estimates of Treatment): A Research Model to Improve the Governance of Prescribing Funds in Italy.
Favato G, Mariani P, Mills RW, Capone A, Pelagatti M, et al (2007) ASSET
PLoS ONE 2(7): e592. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000592
Link to article

Henley Management College is one of the top-ranked business schools in the world and, founded in 1945, one of the longest established. The College is the world's third largest supplier of MBA education. The College delivers business education to managers in more than 100 countries with in excess of 5,000 people worldwide studying for a Henley MBA at any one time. In the 2006 Financial Times rankings of Executive Education providers, Henley is renowned for leading edge research via its 5 Schools of Thought Leadership.

For further information please go to:
Henley Management College
PLoS ONE

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