Low Use of Standard-of-Care Antiparasitic Drugs and Increased Estimated Outpatient Payments for Treating Schistosomiasis in the United States, 2013–19

Drug utilization and payment estimates for standard-of-care treatment of schistosomiasis have not been reported previously in the United States. This study estimates the utilization of praziquantel (standard-of-care drug) among patients with schistosomiasis and outpatient payments among those who were treated with praziquantel, and investigates the factors associated with praziquantel use from 2013–19 using IBM’s MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Claims data showed that only 21% of patients with schistosomiasis diagnoses were treated with praziquantel. The mean total drug payments per patient treated with praziquantel increased from $110 in 2013–14 to $612 in 2015–18 (P< 0.01), and use decreased. These factors, including residing in a rural area, having a documented Schistosoma haematobium infection, or having a first schistosomiasis diagnosis in 2015–16, were associated with a decreased likelihood of patients receiving standard-of-care treatment. Policy solutions to exorbitant drug pricing, and better awareness and education among healthcare providers about schistosomiasis—especially those practicing in rural areas with high immigrant populations—are needed.