One of the drugs used extensively in kidney dialysis treatment is Epogen. It strengthens the red blood cells. Most clinics administer the drug intravenously. The patient is already being treated this way. Why go through the trouble and aggravation of administering via an injection which may cause an infection? As someone who hates being injected, I can sympathize with this point of view. However, as a taxpayer, I'm not so sure, since Epogen is the drug on which Medicare spends the most money.
Injections require less Epogen. Thus, the final bill for the session is less. However, revenue from Epogen accounts for 20% of the clinic's revenue. So, using less Epogen means less revenue. How much less? Estimates are almost a half billion less annually. That's a good piece of change.
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