A Canadian study published this week reported that more than 10 percent of prescriptions being written were for drugs that were not approved to treat that patient’s condition. For the study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the researchers examined more than 250,000 electronic prescriptions for more than 50,000 patients written from 2005 through 2009 by 113 doctors in a primary care network in Canada and found that about 11 percent of the medications were prescribed for off-label use, and 79 percent of off-label use lacked strong scientific evidence. Previous studies of American patients found slightly lower levels of off-label use, but the study’s authors believe the overall rate of off-label use of prescription drugs in the U.S would mirror the Canadian results.
Off-label prescribing is when a physician gives you a drug that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat a condition that is different than yours. This practice is legal and common. In fact, one out of every five prescriptions written today is for off-label use.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality suggest that you talk with your doctor if you have concerns about any medicine or treatment, particularly if it may be off label. They suggest that before you go off-label that you ask these questions:
- Is this the approved use of the medicine? You may not know if the use is off label. This question can help you start the conversation with your doctor about your medicines.
- Is the off-label use of this drug likely to be more effective than one approved to treat my illness? This is important because the off-label drug may not be as well tested for your condition.
- What evidence shows that this off-label drug can treat my condition?
- What are the risks and benefits of off-label treatment with this drug?
- Will my health insurance cover off-label treatment with this drug?
Consumer Reports also suggests that that while many times that going off-label can be beneficial when done in close conjunction with your doctors treatment recommendations, that consumers should also be wary because of the potential for abuse and paying for costly drugs that may not be needed. Greater promotion of off-label drug uses could have patients reaching deeper into their pockets to cover prescription costs. Health insurance companies closely scrutinize drugs that are used off-label and may result in greater out-of-pocket costs if the insurance does not cover your doctor’s prescriptions.
Canada Drugs, Canadian Pharmacy, can be a source of savings when health insurance won’t cover a doctors off-label prescription recommendation. With direct cash savings of 20%-80% off the U.S retail cost, we offer savings on many of the most common drugs that are prescribed for off-label use. Our pharmacists in consultation with your doctor can help advise you of your options, and help you make an educated healthcare decision when prescribed a medication for off-label use.




