kaiser report on pharmaceutical payments to patient advocacy groups

April 8, 2018, 1:39 PM PDT / Updated April 8, 2018, 1:39 PM PDT / Source: Kaiser Health News Pharmaceutical companies gave at least $116 million to patient advocacy groups in a single year, reveals a new database logging 12,000 donations from large publicly traded drugmakers to such organizations.

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Kaiser Permanente encourages you to report any concerns you have about your safety, quality of care, or privacy, as well as any suspected fraud. Reporting concerns about quality of care If you have any concerns about your safety or quality of care, please talk about them with your health care team.

What is a patient advocate in a hospital?

Most hospitals have one or more patient advocates on staff. They are people you and your family can turn to for help in dealing with various problems you may have during your hospital stay. How can a patient advocate help?

What is the relationship between patient advocacy groups and pharmaceutical companies?

“In this regard, a stronger collaboration between pharma and patient organizations can provide benefits for both parties.” Ultimately, patients believe a better relationship between pharmaceutical companies and patient advocate groups will make it easier for them to understand their treatments.

What is patient advocacy in pharmaceutical industry?

“When pharmaceutical companies talk about patient advocacy, they are typically referring to the full spectrum of how a company interacts with nonprofit patient communities, activities that range from co-created educational efforts and community events to patient-focused giving and elements of government affairs.

Do pharmaceutical companies donate to nonprofits?

FINANCES DON'T LIE. PAN, the nation's largest copay charity, received contributions of $800 million last year, 95 percent of which came from the pharmaceutical industry, with five companies donating more than $70 million each.

What is meant by a patient advocacy group What do these groups do?

Patient Advocacy Groups PAOs are formally organized nonprofit groups that (a) concern themselves with medical conditions or potential medical conditions and (b) have a mission and take actions that seek to help people affected by those medical conditions or to help their families.

What is PAG in pharmaceutical industry?

Patient advocacy groups (PAGs) have been around since the 1950s and have fulfilled various roles such as providing material resources, knowledge and emotional support to those in need. They've also been vital conduits between pharma companies and the patients these companies are looking to recruit for clinical trials.

What is patient advocacy in biotech?

Patient advocacy functions foster relationships with patients, their caregivers, and the disease-specific nonprofit advocacy groups that support them. These interactions ensure the voice of the patient is understood across every other function within the company, from R&D to commercialization.

Why are some of the biggest charities in the US owned by or affiliated with pharmaceutical companies?

Their generosity helps their bottom line. WHEN A PATIENT in need of a drug in America goes to fulfil their prescription, the price they have to pay can vary wildly. For generic off-patent drugs, prices are usually low for the uninsured and free for those with insurance.

What is the difference between a patient advocate and a health advocacy team?

The Patient Advocate Certification Board chose “Patient Advocate” because its work addresses certification specifically for the medical guidance and facilitation a patient needs, and not the additional services a health advocate might provide (which is more in the line of health coaching or counseling).

What are examples of patient advocacy?

Medical facility advocacy For example, when a patient receives unsafe accommodations, an inaccurate diagnosis or unclear self-care instructions, a nurse alerts the medical facility and the patient's doctor, communicates the issue and helps resolve the issue.

What is the point of a patient advocate?

The Role of the Patient Advocate Patient advocates can work to help patients and their families by providing a variety of services, depending on the patient's needs and the advocate's area of expertise. They may help them to secure health care, manage insurance, or make treatment plan decisions.

How to contact Kaiser Permanente about fraud?

You can also contact Medicare for fraud-related questions and concerns at: Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) Fax: 1-800-223-8164.

What is the Joint Commission?

If your concerns about quality of care during a hospital stay cannot be resolved through managers at the hospital, we encourage you to contact The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States.

How to contact Medicare for fraud?

You can also contact Medicare for fraud-related questions and concerns at: Phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) Fax: 1-800-223-8164. TTY (for the hearing-impaired): 1-800-377-4950. Mailing address: Health and Human Services TIPS Hotline.

Does Kaiser Permanente report fraud?

Kaiser Permanente encourages you to report any concerns you have about your safety, quality of care, or privacy, as well as any suspected fraud.

How much money did the American Diabetes Association receive in 2017?

The American Diabetes Association said in an email to KHN that it received $18.3 million in pharmaceutical funding in 2017, accounting for 12.3 percent of its revenue; that was down from $26.7 million in 2015. The money flowed in as insulin makers continued to hike prices in those years — up to four times per product — leading to hardships for patients.

Was patient lobbying limited in the 80s?

Into the ’80s and early ’90s, patient lobbying was generally limited and self-funded with only one or two affluent patients from an organization traveling to Washington on a given day, said Diana Zuckerman, president of the nonprofit National Center for Health Research.

How to be a nurse?

Having a relative or friend as your helper is always a good idea. Depending on your condition, this helper can: 1 Spend time in your room with you, watching over you. 2 Alert nurses when something is wrong or you need something. 3 Make sure you get your questions answered and ask questions you haven't thought of. 4 Take notes during doctor visits. 5 Make sure you get your medicines on time. 6 Get on the Internet and do research for you.

How to be an advocate for a patient?

An advocate may: Make sure that you and your family know all the facts about your condition and your care. Give you and your family emotional support. Help you get copies of your medical records. Help with delays in getting tests, treatment, or information. Work with the hospital when you have complaints.

Do hospitals have advocates?

Not all hospitals have patient advocates. But you may be able to find help elsewhere: Your employer may offer patient advocacy services as part of your benefit package. Your insurance company may employ advocates who can help you with hospital billing problems. You may be able to hire a private patient advocate.

What is 990 form?

The New England Journal of Medicine analyzed the Tax Forms 990 (which discloses an organization’s activities, governance and detailed financial information), annual reports, and websites of 104 U.S.-based patient-advocacy organizations.

What is the Patient Advocacy Transparency Act?

In response to concerns that pharmaceutical industry payments could be unduly influencing medical research and practice, US Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri on June 6 proposed the “ Patient Advocacy Transparency Act of 2018 ” . If adopted, this piece of legislation will require pharmaceutical manufacturers to report payments made ...

Why are pharmaceutical companies under investigation?

Many pharmaceutical manufacturers are also currently under investigation by the Department of Justice for providing financial funding to different nonprofit organizations and patient advocacy groups that were used to promote their product.

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