Topical Testosterone Adherence Low

[Jinzang]

This news article on a talk at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2017 Conference surprised me.

Fewer than one in five hypogonadal men are adherent to prescribed topical testosterone, new research indicates. The findings, from a large commercial insurance database, were presented May 5 here at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 2017 Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress by Michael Grabner, PhD, of HealthCore, Wilmingon, Delaware. Among a total of 3184 men with primary or secondary hypogonadism who had filled a prescription for topical testosterone therapy of any kind (brand-name or generic), just 17% were defined as adherent. And over 1 year, 81% of the men discontinued treatment.

 

[Vince Carter]

I think perhaps guys find out how expensive andro 1.62 is, even with insurance getting 50% of it I was still paying OOP $140 IIRC, that's just not a sustainable price point for too many people.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I think perhaps guys find out how expensive andro 1.62 is, even with insurance getting 50% of it I was still paying OOP $140 IIRC, that's just not a sustainable price point for too many people.

That is certainly a primary reason for a patient discontinuing, I agree, but I wonder how many guys don't respond to the topical, get discouraged and - being the patient of a less than knowledgeable doctor - conclude TRT is a bust and walk away. It seems it would have to be the cost and/or the lack of effectiveness of this form of therapy for a man to abandon it.

 

[Vince Carter]

I know my GP started me on one pump of 1.62 and was reluctant to go up from there and I can see that not being responsive or under dosed as I was, would create compliance issues in treatment.

 

[HarryCat]

I think perhaps guys find out how expensive andro 1.62 is, even with insurance getting 50% of it I was still paying OOP $140 IIRC, that's just not a sustainable price point for too many people.

This. I had a friend whose doctor gave him Androgel samples. Said he felt better using it but when he went to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription and saw how much it cost he never continued.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

This may explain why this happens :
Most Men on Androgel and Testim Stop Using Them

 

[Vince Carter]

To add insult to injury IIRC those Andro pump bottles are a 2-3 week supply so that OOP cost piles up very quickly.

 

[Matt Leiser]

Cost definitely does pile up and for me was not effective even at 3 pumps bid, each arm.

 

[Jinzang]

I don't know if any pharma execs read this forum. But if they do, they are leaving money on the table by charging so much for topical testosterone. If only one fifth continue use because of cost, they could make more money by dropping the price to one third or a quarter of the current price. Many men are paying out of pocket for their testosterone, so the market is price sensitive.