The Impact of Social Proximity on Conversion to Generic Prescription Medications

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Conversion From Brand Name to Generic Medication
• Interventions: Other: Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications

• Registration Number: NCT01251419
• Lead Sponsor: National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

Brief Summary

The goal of this project is to understand the effects of receiving peer information on individuals' conversion rates from brand name prescription medication to generic prescription medication.

Detailed Description

At companies where employees are predominantly union members, we will compare the efficacy of a peer information intervention using a testimonial from a union identified employee to an intervention using a testimonial with no union identification, as well as to a no-testimonial intervention.

The control arm will receive a letter signed by our partner company's Chief Medical Officer, explaining the health and monetary benefits of switching from brand name prescription medication to generic prescription medication. The testimonial treatment arm will receive the exact same letter, but the letter will feature an employee's testimonial along with the first name, last initial, city and state of the employee giving the testimonial. The testimonial and union arm will receive the same letter as the testimonial treatment arm but with the addition of the union affiliation of the employee giving the testimonial.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2010-11-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-11-30
• Study First Posted: 2010-12-01
• Study Start: 2011-03
• Status Verified: 2012-05
• Primary Completion: 2012-05
• Study Completion: 2012-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-05-16
• Last Update Posted: 2012-05-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 10000

Inclusion Criteria

• Employee of a company that uses Express Scripts as its pharmacy benefits manager.
• Employee at a company with predominantly union employees.
• Currently taking a brand name medication with an exact generic equivalent.

Exclusion Criteria

• Employees on any psychological prescription medication.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Testimonial and Union Arm	Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications	The testimonial and union arm will receive the same letter as the testimonial treatment arm but with the addition of the union affiliation of the employee giving the testimonial.
Control	Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications	The control arm will receive a letter signed by our partner company's Chief Medical Officer, explaining the health and monetary benefits of switching from brand name prescription medication to generic prescription medication.
Testimonial Treatment Arm	Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications	The testimonial treatment arm will receive the exact same letter as the control arm, but the letter will feature an employee's testimonial along with the first name, last initial, city and state of the employee giving the testimonial.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Conversion from Brand Name to Generic Prescription Medication	One month to one year after the intervention.	We will measure conversion rates of employees from brand name to generic prescription medication by treatment arm.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Union Status and Conversation to Generic Medication	One month to one year after the intervention.	We will see how union affiliation affects the employee conversion rates from brand name to prescription medication by treatment arm.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Express Scripts; 🇺🇸 St. Louis, Missouri, United States