Impact of Funding Assistance on Choice for On-Label Intraocular Pharmaceuticals

Purpose: Understanding the economic impact on intraocular pharmaceutical choices is critical for retinal specialty care.This study assesses the impact of consistent Chronic Disease Foundation (CDF) funding on the maintenance of on-label pharmaceuticals.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single, private retinal practice.Retina Associates of Cleveland's Practice Management System was used to track CDF patients' intraocular pharmaceuticals during the stable-funded period, September 16-29, 2022, and during transition to a non-funded period, November 16-29, 2022.Pharmaceuticals were tracked, and the change rates were analyzed.Outcomes tracked included maintaining on-label medication, switching to a different on-label medication, switching to free sample injection, or switching to off-label bevacizumab.Patients starting on free sample injections were excluded.Results: During the non-funded period, 79% of patients switched to either free sample injections or off-label bevacizumab.In contrast, only 1% of patients switched medications during the stable-funded period.conclusion: Consistent funding significantly reduces the likelihood of switching from on-label to off-label medications or free samples, highlighting the magnitude financial assistance has in maintaining on-label treatment plans.