Where's the Technology?

[Perrster]

Every time I visit my Pharmacist to renew my Coumadin prescription, I can't help but notice their very prominent displays of Diabetic testing equipment and supplies that are available right over the counter. They literally have shelves full of them. I have always wanted to ask why blood coagulation testing devices and supplies are not available in the same price range as the Diabetic equipment?

Can you, QAS answer this? Why is the technology so darn different? Seems to me that a drop of blood is a drop of blood, except that coagulation patients are left out by the lack of technology.

While I SHOULD BE, but I NEVER WILL BE an owner of a Protime piece of equipment (due to their high price and previous insurance denials), I would certainly give a paycheck toward purchasing a more affordable system like the $200+ priced Diabetic equipment.

I would seriously invest in a company who develops such a piece of equipment. It seems to me also that such a company would surely see a much larger market for more affordable equipment.

Thanks.

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Perry, nice to see you around!

I was musing over the exact thing on Thursday while sitting and waiting for my daughters pain med and antibiotic to be filled. I was gazing at about 40 linear feet of diabetic equipment. I will admit I became pretty miffed. The only thing I can think of is that there are many more diabetics than there are people on Coumadin.

With the huge increase in Type 2 Diabetics (thought to be because we're eating like heck) I have to believe that the testing paraphernalia is a huge market.

 

[QAS Lance]

Hello

Hello

I wish that I could answer that question, Perrry, but QAS doesn't set the pricing for any of the monitors. We go buy what is recommended by the manufacturers. Remember, we are only a distributor, and have no say in the technological aspects. Unfortunately, over the years, we have seen a slow increase in price. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance, and have a good day.

Lance

 

[JimChicago]

Perry -
I think you have a good idea. We should probably start a Coumadin Patient's Consumer organization and seek research into less expensive testing solutions just like the diabetis patients.

As we all know - the trend in recent years has been for products that were manufactured in the US to be outsourced to China and made less expensively. This has cost jobs but for us on coumadin - it would be nice to see some of that economy passed onto the testing market.

Perhpas there are some sharp inventors in China today prototyping a $100 coumadin testing unit - the FDA approval process would probably add a $200 more per unit to the cost - but even so it would be a savings.

 

[geebee]

I think it is valid to hope for changes in the medical world towards patient testing and dosing of coumadin.
I remember diabetics I knew when I was growing up and the severely restrictive diet and constant testing and such.
My SO's brother is an insulin dependant diabetic. As he has aged, his doctor's attitude towards his diet has changed tremendously as well as the ability to test his levels at a moment's notice. I also believe insulin itself is more fast acting.
Due to these changes, Greg now uses the tools to eat what he wants (within reason of course) and adjusts his insulin to his lifestyle. He leads a fairly normal life (indeed is a sky diver and instructor as well as hiker, climber, etc.).
I will hope that the INR testing devices will improve and the prices will come down. I also hope that there will be a way to more quickly affect INR than a pill that takes a couple of days to metabolize (besides injections, something more portable).
I truly believe, in the near future (ever optimistic) that the ease and cost of coumdan control will be as easy or easier than diabetic control.

 

[tommy]

I think that is is "supply and demand" thing. Just not sufficient demand for anticoagulation testing for the expensive investment. Also, the "threat" of new medicines that would render testing unnecessary, make it even less attractive. Frankly, I would prefer to see the investment in the new medicines, but would support either.

Either way, a consumers group sounds like a good way to generate a higher level of interest. APA "Anticoagulation Patients Association". I have a thing for TLA's (three letter acronyms).

 

[Perrster]

Where do we begin?

Where do we begin?

Excellent! Anticoagulation Patients Association. Excellent!

So where do we start? Anyone have any ideas?

Who has good writing or marketing/sales skills and would volunteer? And who do we start addressing our letters to?

I have a marketing connection at St. Judes. I'll start with her and see what I can drum up.

Thanks for keeping this thread going.

Cheers!

 

[Karlynn]

Perry, are you going to craft a Purpose Statement? That's one thing that comes to mind.

Funding for mailings etc - sponsorship by the companies that make the equipment?

Targets of mailings to gain members - Hospitals, Dr's groups, I was going to say Coumadin clinics - but home testing would decrease client base.

Al, how has home-testing affected your clinic?

Anyway, just a few quick ideas.

 

[geebee]

If a website ends up being needed or desired, unfortunately APA is taken with all the dots (org, net, com, and so on).
I tried some variations (APC, PAC, APO) all to no avail. Might have to come up with something other than a TLA.
Just some more thoughts.

 

[Gemma]

You know, I'm kind of amazed there isn't already such an organisation/charity in the US. Over here we've got AntiCoagulation Europe, which represents the interests of the estimated 750,000 patients on all types of anti-coag meds in the UK, as well as those in Europe. Janie (shezagirlie) posted a link to it somewhere a few days ago. Seems crazy you wouldn't have a similar thing.

 

[HemoSense-Brendan]

I know this question is sort of dated, but i had a few seconds and thought I'd comment. It's true that blood glucose meters today are very affordable, compact and test rapidly. However, this was not always the case. To understand where the coagulation industry is you need to look at where home blood glucose testing industry was in 1985. The devices were big, required 10ml samples and took a minute to provide a result. These devices typically cost about $500-$600. As the benefits of home testing of glucose levels became more known and understood by physicians and insurance companies the industry started to take off. It was at that point when the companies really had the resources to put into research and development and the 90's was a decade of rapid innovation and has pretty much brought the industry to where it is now.

Also, keep in mind the tests are VERY different even if the processes appear similar. With glucose the device is measuring the amount of glucose in the drop of blood. A PT/INR test is measuring the RATE of a process that relates to the blood's formation of a clot. There is a lot more that goes into this measurement.

Every time I visit my Pharmacist to renew my Coumadin prescription, I can't help but notice their very prominent displays of Diabetic testing equipment and supplies that are available right over the counter. They literally have shelves full of them. I have always wanted to ask why blood coagulation testing devices and supplies are not available in the same price range as the Diabetic equipment?

Can you, QAS answer this? Why is the technology so darn different? Seems to me that a drop of blood is a drop of blood, except that coagulation patients are left out by the lack of technology.

While I SHOULD BE, but I NEVER WILL BE an owner of a Protime piece of equipment (due to their high price and previous insurance denials), I would certainly give a paycheck toward purchasing a more affordable system like the $200+ priced Diabetic equipment.

I would seriously invest in a company who develops such a piece of equipment. It seems to me also that such a company would surely see a much larger market for more affordable equipment.

Thanks.

 

[Emma]

Heres the link I posted to ACE if anyone wants to see it again, since Gemma mentioned it...

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14711&highlight=anticoagulation+europe


I too get slightly annoyed at looking at all the diabetic machines in our chemists with not a mention of anticoag in sight. Ah well.

Emma
xxx

 

[Natanni]

What Brandon just mentioned makes sense. Prior to Nathan's surgery, I was calling all medical suppy stores and pharmacies in our area, and within a 300 mile radius. Not ONE had even heard of home coagulation monitoring. The largest city near us, Duluth MN is sending their post valve pts home with "WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN HOME INR MONITORING". Nathan found this out after visiting with a few valvers in cardiac rehab. Also noting that they were given the "do not eat anything green" advice, so you see how far behind in the times even a city as big as Duluth is. I am just thankful that Nathan was able to have the Mayo get him started with how to go about home monitoring, with their blessing, and a local GP more up to date....