Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Research on drug pricing in the US should use net price data in order to accurately reflect costs to the healthcare system, as net prices often involve substantial discounting from list prices. However, this is often challenging because there is no regular manufacturer reporting of net prices. Available sources that estimate net prices can vary substantially, particularly at the time of launch. We evaluated the landscape of net price estimation methods at launch and developed a standardized approach for prioritizing sources.
METHODS: Using a sample of 153 drugs approved between 2022 and 2024, we calculated the percent of drugs with net price data at launch available from ASP, SSR Health, IPD Analytics, and FSS. For drugs with more than one estimate available, we calculated the variation between estimates. We then developed a flowchart for prioritizing net price data sources.
RESULTS: Estimation methods and inclusion criteria varied across sources. The proportion of drugs with net price data available at launch from each source was 28% for ASP; 42% for SSR Health, 71% for IPD Analytics, and 87% for FSS. For drugs with data available from multiple sources, net price estimates varied by an average of 21%. We found that:

1. Using different sources for provider-administered versus non-provider-administered drugs may be more appropriate given the prevailing reimbursement practice.
2. For provider-administered drugs, ASP should be prioritized because it is manufacturer-reported.
3. Using a median of multiple estimates for non-provider administered drugs can help account for the variation between sources.
4. FSS represents a niche payer setting and should only be used when no other sources are available.

CONCLUSIONS: Researchers analyzing net drug price data at launch should consider the limitations of estimation methods and the variation between data sources. A standardized approach for prioritizing sources can strengthen transparency and consistency.