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AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

This page presents an AI-generated summary of a published research paper. The original authors did not write or review this article. [See full disclosure ↓]

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Industry payments were linked to more brand-name MS prescribing

A black and white photograph of a medical office scene showing a physician in a white coat and glasses standing at a desk on the left, with two people seated across from the desk reviewing documents and materials in what appears to be a clinical consultation setting.
Research area:Economics, Econometrics and FinancePharmaceutical Economics and PolicyPharmaceutical industry and healthcare

What the study found

Payments from brand-name drug manufacturers were associated with a higher proportion of brand-name prescriptions for two multiple sclerosis medications after generic versions were available.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that these payments were associated with lower uptake of generic versions of the two drugs, which they say resulted in higher spending by patients and the US health care system.

What the researchers tested

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using 2021-2022 Open Payments data and 2022-2023 Medicare Part D prescription data. They examined whether payments from Teva for glatiramer and Biogen for dimethyl fumarate were linked to the proportion of brand-name prescriptions per clinician, using multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for prescriber type, prescription volume, and geographic region.

What worked and what didn't

Payments were categorized as none, less than $1,000, or at least $1,000. The abstract reports that payments were associated with higher brand-name prescribing, and that payments under $1,000 were also associated with higher brand-name prescribing. The abstract does not provide the full numerical results in the text provided here.

What to keep in mind

This was a cross-sectional study, so it describes an association rather than proving cause and effect. The available abstract text does not include the complete results table or detailed limitations.

Key points

  • Payments from brand-name manufacturers were associated with more brand-name prescribing for glatiramer and dimethyl fumarate.
  • The study used Open Payments data from 2021-2022 and Medicare Part D prescription data from 2022-2023.
  • Payments were grouped as none, less than $1,000, or at least $1,000.
  • The analysis adjusted for prescriber type, prescription volume, and geographic region.
  • The authors say the association was linked to lower generic uptake and higher spending.

Disclosure

Research title:
Industry payments were linked to more brand-name MS prescribing
Authors:
A. M. Patel, Aaron S. Kesselheim, Benjamin N. Rome
Institutions:
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Stanford University
Publication date:
2026-04-06
DOI:
10.1212/wnl.0000000000214834
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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