Organizations Join Forces to Provide Unbiased Prescription Drug Information to Consumers

Hallowell, Maine, September 1, 2009—As part of its efforts to expand access to safe, effective, and affordable prescription drugs in the US, Prescription Policy Choices (PPC) has teamed up with Consumers Union and the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project to provide consumers with unbiased information about prescription drug choices and options.

Already well known for its efforts to empower consumers through Consumer Reports magazine and other materials, Consumers Union initiated the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project to help fill an important gap in consumers’ understanding of prescription medicines, by informing consumers about drugs available to treat specific illnesses and diseases, the differences among them, and how they stack up against each other.

“Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ relies on the unbiased research about drug effectiveness prepared by the Drug Effectiveness Review Project. One goal is to help patients open up conversations with their doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about their drug choices,” said Gail Shearer, Director of the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project.

Historically, PPC’s advocacy efforts have focused on policy makers. As PPC began to reach out to consumers, the collaboration with the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project made perfect sense. Both organizations are dedicated to improving access to needed medicines for millions of Americans in the face of skyrocketing health care costs. In addition, both organizations are committed to providing evidence-based information, so that consumers are aware of safe, effective, and affordable options with respect to the medicines they require.

 “The Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project is a great way to equip consumers with objective information and choices to help them become more engaged in their healthcare. It also helps to offset the aggressive direct-to-consumer advertising conducted by the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ann Woloson, Executive Director of PPC.

Independent and unbiased reports help consumers talk with their health care providers about treatment options and may improve their chances of getting a prescription medicine that both suits their medical needs and gives them the best value for their health care dollar.

“We have found that consumers can often save $1,000 or more per year--without harming their health--by switching to a safe, effective drug alternative,” added Shearer.“Better value for every health care dollar is more important than ever during these tough economic times.”

While written for consumers, Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ materials are geared toward enhancing communication between consumers and health care providers. PPC promotes the materials as a tool for academic detailing programs, also known as prescriber education, that send trained clinicians to physicians’ offices to present the best available, most up-to-date scientific evidence on certain prescription drugs. Such programs are objective, educational outreach, not attempts to sell or mandate specific drugs.

“When both patients and physicians have objective information about prescription drugs, they are able to collaborate on the most suitable and cost-effective care,” added Woloson. “We are making Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ materials available to prescribers for their own benefit, as well as the benefit of their patients, who want more information regarding the health care they receive.” In addition to providing information about which prescription drugs are available and how they compare with one another, the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ materials also offer guidance to consumers about taking their medicines safely and sticking with their treatment regimens.

PPC is but one of the many organizations that Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ has worked with in order to raise public awareness and help consumers learn how they can get better value for their prescription drug dollars. Other   affiliated organizations include senior and community groups, labor unions, employers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers, as well as national organizations, such as the American Public Health Association and the National Education Association.

PPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c) (3) educational and public policy organization which provides objective research, information, and on-the-ground expertise on prescription drug policy. PPC’s research and policy focus is evaluating alternative policies and programs that effectively reduce prescription drug prices and increase access to safe and effective medications.