Contemporary cost-analysis comparison of direct-to-consumer vs. traditional prescriptions of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Abstract

After a focused telehealth visit, patients can now access phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor) prescriptions through online direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare companies. This study seeks to quantify the cost of DTC PDE5 inhibitor treatment compared to a traditional physician visit and local pharmacy prescription. Two DTC companies, two compounding pharmacies with national reach, three online Canadian pharmacies, and sixteen American pharmacy chains were queried for prices of 90-day regimens of common PDE5 inhibitors. Prices for chains were determined using their publicly available price on GoodRx^® with coupon. Cost of physician visit was determined using 2020 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement for a level 3 new patient visit. For sildenafil 20 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a low of $125.45 compared to $144.35 for compounding, $169.34 for Canadian, and $195.00 for DTC. For sildenafil 100 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a low of $137.16 compared to $289.35 for compounding, $200.36 for Canadian, and $900.00 for DTC. For tadalafil 5 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a low of $125.80 compared to $169.35 for compounding, $195.34 for Canadian, and $720.00 for DTC. For tadalafil 20 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a low of $161.00 compared to $289.35 for compounding, $229.00 for Canadian, and $2880.00 for DTC. Thus, local pharmacies, in conjunction with online coupons, consistently provide a markedly less-expensive option for fulfillment of PDE5 inhibitor prescriptions than online DTC services.

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent condition and is increasingly being recognized in men younger than 40 years of age [1]. It is associated with underlying comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease [2] and metabolic syndrome [3], and it has been shown that men with ED have a significantly higher chance of a cardiovascular event in the years following diagnosis [4]. Multiple factors may contribute to ED, including hypertension [5], diabetes [6], psychological disorders [7], medications [8], hypogonadism [9], and sleep disorders [10].

Many men may either delay or bypass presenting to a physician to discuss ED. Some studies estimate that less than 25% of patients with sexual dysfunction sought care from a physician [11]. Patients are concerned that physicians may dismiss their complaints or fail to offer medical therapy, or have difficulty discussing sexual health due to privacy or embarrassment [12].

Treatment of men with ED changed dramatically with the advent of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra^®) and tadalafil (Cialis^®), which are both available in cheaper generic formulations [13]. In the United States, these medications require a prescription and have historically required a visit to a physician. However, in recent years, there has been a substantial increase in telehealth and online direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare companies. Patients now have alternative access to these medications without a traditional office visit. Internet-based DTC prescription platforms offer electronic consultation for evaluation and pharmacologic treatment of ED without a physical exam or in-person visit [14].

Seemingly in response to the rising prevalence of ED in younger men [15], DTC prescription websites are being marketed and utilized with increasing frequency, with one recent study finding that from 2017 to 2019 the total number of unique, quarterly visitors to these sites increased by 1688% from over 650,000 to over 11 million, and in 2019 there were on average 4.9 million visits each month to all DTC prescribing sites [14, 16]. The popularity of these websites offering remote diagnosis may be associated with the promise of discrete evaluation and treatment of ED [14]. However, there is significant concern that DTC platforms selling PDE5 inhibitors in this manner overlook critical pathology and operate in conflict with American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines on ED [17], yet patients may believe they are receiving adequate medical assessment [16].

While there is still much to be studied regarding the potential adverse consequences of obtaining medical prescriptions via online DTC platforms, to date there has been no published information regarding the costs of using these platforms relative to a traditional office visit, especially with the availability of online discounts. This study seeks to compare the costs associated with online DTC PDE5 inhibitor treatment compared to a traditional physician visit and local pharmacy prescription fulfillment.

Materials and methods

Pharmacy and medication selection

Sixteen local pharmacy chains with available public prices on GoodRx^® (https://www.goodrx.com) were included. National pharmacies that were subsidiaries of the same corporation were grouped together and considered one pharmacy, as prices were identical between each subsidiary. To approximate a national distribution of prices and pharmacy chains, prices were determined for five zip codes across the United States: 92612 (Irvine, CA), 44101 (Cleveland, OH), 10001 (New York, NY), 75201 (Dallas, TX), and 352301 (Birmingham, AL). In addition, Costco (https://www.costco.com) alone was queried, excluding membership, in a single zip code, 92697 (Irvine, CA). Hims^® (https://www.forhims.com) and Ro^® (Roman; https://www.getroman.com), the two largest DTC companies with readily available prescriptions for PDE5 inhibitor medications, were included. Three online Canadian International Pharmacy Association–licensed Canadian pharmacies that offer shipping to the United States were included. Finally, two compounding pharmacies with national reach that offer shipping across the United States were included.

Prices were compared for a 90-day supply of 20 and 100 mg doses of sildenafil and 5 and 20 mg doses of tadalafil. These usually represent the two most commonly prescribed PDE5 inhibitors in practice, in the quantity most commonly prescribed, and in both a lower initial dose and a higher dose intended for those who have failed lower-dose therapy.

Data collection

Prices for local pharmacy chains were determined using the lowest available price on GoodRx^®. Prices for online DTC companies were determined through direct phone communication with the company, as well as publicly available information on their websites. Prices for Canadian pharmacies were determined using publicly available information on their websites. Finally, prices for compounding pharmacies were determined through direct email and phone communication with the pharmacy. When prices did not align with the 90-day regimen, the price per dose was determined based on the available regimen closest to 90 doses. The price for 90 doses was then calculated. Data were collected during 2021.

Cost of a physician visit was determined using the 2020 Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement schedule for a level 3 new patient visit, the most commonly coded visit for an ED consult in our practice.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was the price difference between the lowest available prices from online DTC companies compared to local pharmacies. The secondary outcomes were the price differences between all the groups including Canadian and compounding pharmacies, as well as the mean price differences between the groups.

Statistical analysis

One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test comparisons were used to determine statistical significance between continuous variables. All statistical analysis was performed using R [18].

Results

For a 90-dose supply of sildenafil 20 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a mean of $191.51 with a low of $125.45 (σ = 136.50), compounding pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $218.28 with a low of $144.35 (σ = 104.55), and Canadian pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $240.25 with a low of $169.34 (σ = 68.66), compared to a mean of $227.50 and a low of $195.00 for online DTC (σ = 45.96). For sildenafil 100 mg, a physician visit and local prescription had a mean cost of $524.11 with a low cost of $137.16 (σ = 558.81), compounding pharmacy prescription a mean cost of $401.78 with a low cost of $289.35 (σ = 158.99), and Canadian pharmacy prescription a mean cost of $262.63 with a low cost of $200.36 (σ = 45.57), compared to a mean of $907.50 and low of $900.00 for DTC (σ = 10.60). For tadalafil 5 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a mean of $205.79 with a low of $125.80 (σ = 106.47), compounding pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $179.33 with a low of $169.35 (σ = 14.11), and Canadian pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $207.59 with a low of $195.34 (σ = 12.05), compared to an average of $727.50 and low of $720.00 for DTC (σ = 10.60). Finally, for tadalafil 20 mg, a physician visit and local prescription cost a mean of $643.70 with a low of $161.00 (σ = 690.64), compounding pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $359.33 with a low of $289.35 (σ = 98.96), and Canadian pharmacy prescription cost a mean of $291.74 with a low of $229.00 (σ = 59.74), compared to a mean of $3427.50 and a low of $2880.00 for DTC (σ = 774.28) (Table 1 and Fig. 1). Physician visit with prescription fulfillment through Costco, excluding membership, cost $159.34 for sildenafil 20 mg, $193.40 for sildenafil 100 mg, $126.34 for tadalafil 5 mg, and $161.34 for tadalafil 20 mg.

Table 1.

Comparison of direct-to-consumer vs. traditional prescriptions of PDE5 inhibitors.

	Sildenafil 20 mg	Sildenafil 100 mg	Tadalafil 5 mg	Tadalafil 20 mg
Physician visit plus local pharmacy
Mean	$191.51	$524.11	$205.79	$643.70
Low	$125.45	$137.16	$125.80	$161.00
Physician visit plus compounding pharmacy
Mean	$218.28	$401.78	$179.33	$359.33
Low	$144.35	$289.35	$169.35	$289.35
Physician visit plus online licensed Canadian pharmacy
Mean	$240.25	$252.63	$207.59	$291.74
Low	$169.34	$200.36	$195.34	$229.00
Online Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)
Mean	$227.50	$907.50	$727.50	$3427.50
Low	$195.00	$900.00	$720.00	$2880.00
Price difference between lowest categories	$69.55	$762.84	$594.20	$2719.00

Fig. 1.

Comparison of lowest available prices of direct-to-consumer vs. traditional prescriptions of PDE5 inhibitors.

There were no statistically significant differences in mean price between the four groups for sildenafil 20 or 100 mg. However, tadalafil 5 mg from DTC companies was significantly more expensive than local prescription (p < 0.01), Canadian (p < 0.01), and compounding pharmacies (p < 0.01). Similarly, tadalafil 20 mg was significantly more expensive from DTC companies than local prescription (p < 0.01), Canadian (p < 0.01), and compounding pharmacies (p < 0.01).

Discussion

First introduced in the mid-1990s, PDE5 inhibitors are a well-researched and efficacious first-line pharmacological option for the treatment of ED [17, 19, 20]. As sildenafil, and later tadalafil, have become generic, out-of-pocket costs to patients have decreased substantially. However, the available literature on the economics of PDE5 inhibitors is dated and does not account for the role of internet-based methods of prescription fulfillment [21]. In the era of generic PDE5 inhibitors and the increasing public awareness of sexual health, online DTC companies such as Ro^® (Roman) and Hims^® have emerged as a potential new paradigm in sexual medicine and men’s health. These companies offer low-commitment, low-pressure alternatives for men seeking medical management of ED, and they often direct marketing efforts at young men who may be hesitant to seek medical attention from a physician for sexual function [14]. Our investigation, however, reveals that DTC prescriptions are markedly more expensive with significant drawbacks when compared to a traditional physician visit with local prescription fulfillment.

We found that for a 90-dose supply, a physician visit and local pharmacy prescription was consistently less expensive than online DTC, with the lowest available prices 30% less for sildenafil 20 mg, 85% less for sildenafil 100 mg, 83% less for tadalafil 5 mg, and 94% less for tadalafil 20 mg. Mean prices were consistently lower for physician visit and local pharmacy prescription, and were statistically significant for tadalafil 5 and 20 mg; however, the lowest available price may be the stronger metric as patients often have flexibility in their choice of local pharmacy or online company. Compounding and Canadian pharmacies provided neither the most nor least expensive options for access to PDE5 inhibitor prescriptions. Of note, these differences are most pronounced with tadalafil compared to sildenafil and with higher doses.

A patient seeking treatment through an online DTC company is prompted to complete a screening questionnaire that involves self-reported general medical history items without verified objective data, including vital signs, body mass index, or laboratory values [16]. This questionnaire is then reviewed by a provider, and ultimately if a prescription is approved, the medication is then sent to the patient. Depending on the company, medications can be distributed in individual or small group units, or as a monthly, recurring “subscription,” where a certain number of pills are automatically sent to the patient each month. This means that men may continue potentially inappropriate therapy without proper follow-up, and that traditional dose adjustments may not be made [16]. If a patient fails low-dose, less-expensive therapy through a DTC company and seeks follow-up through the established platform, the cost will rapidly increase. As more than half of men may require a dose increase, this can quickly become expensive for patients who may have been agreeable to less-expensive therapy through a form of “foot-in-the-door” marketing [22]. A similar increase in expense would be seen if a patient’s priorities or lifestyle changes to warrant a change in agent from sildenafil to tadalafil.

While this method of prescription boasts benefits in relative patient comfort with discussing sensitive topics, significant drawbacks are evident when compared to established standard of care. AUA guidelines recommend “a thorough medical, sexual and psychosocial history, a physical examination, and selective laboratory testing” for all men presenting with symptoms of ED [17]. This includes vital signs for cardiovascular health screening, morning serum total testosterone levels, and a thorough physical examination to assess for penile lesions, deformities, and evidence of Peyronie’s disease (PD), all of which may impact management [17].

ED may be an early harbinger of structural, systemic, or psychiatric disease, especially in the younger population to whom DTC services are often marketed. Men with ED experience increased risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease, and associations are seen between ED and hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension [23–25]. In addition, a comparison of men under 40 at low risk for coronary artery disease with similar men without ED suggests that young men with ED may exhibit subclinical cardiovascular disease and be at markedly higher risk for developing such conditions later in life [26]. While PD is typically associated with aging, 8.2% men with PD are under 40, of whom 21% experience ED [27]. Psychogenic factors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of ED in this younger population, with some studies suggesting up to 83% of cases involve a significant psychogenic component [28, 29]. A self-reported, online questionnaire administered by DTC companies may fail to identify such comorbidities, as it precludes the ability to physically examine the patient or properly identify and counsel on potential psychogenic factors. In a 2020 study, the specific content of DTC screening questionnaires was compared to the comorbidities present in a cohort of men under 40 presenting with ED [16]. In that cohort, 15% of patients were obese, 20% diabetic or prediabetic, 54% had dyslipidemia, 20% were hypogonadal, and 35% had varicoceles; all of these findings would have been missed by the DTC questionnaires [16].

While our investigation provides evidence that DTC companies are a more expensive option for prescription fulfillment than traditional physician visits and local pharmacies, it is not surprising that prices are higher given the for-profit nature of these companies. Yet, these sites continue to grow exponentially [14]. In order to provide the appropriate care and possibly inform practice habits for a changing demographic, clinicians should consider why patients are willing to pay this premium, possibly due to convenience, perceived privacy, difficulty with physician access and/or simply lack of awareness of such drawbacks. In a 2020 study of a German online platform similar to Ro^® and Hims^®, 48% of patients reported convenience as the primary rationale for pursuing DTC prescriptions, 23% discretion, and 13% shame. Only 4.6% reported price as their primary reason [30]. Awareness may also play a role, as 88% of patients report referral to DTC service through advertising or online media, and media coverage of such services is largely positive [16, 30].

While online DTC companies are potentially providing men with more convenience and perceived privacy, it is the urology community’s obligation to promote the best and safest clinical care for our patients. Expanding the use of telemedicine in sexual medicine, as has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be an appropriate avenue to address some of the concerns that lead patients to seek online DTC treatment [31, 32]. While telemedicine is often appropriate for follow-up visits, its role in the evaluation of new patients is not well defined, and in-person examination may be necessary for the establishment of a physician-patient relationship [33, 34]. Telemedicine is a valuable tool, and while appropriate in many situations, we believe clinical judgment should be applied in cases where the urologist feels an in-person evaluation may be necessary. In fact, determination of the necessity of a referral, and ease of pursuing that referral, is an advantage “traditional” telemedicine has over DTC companies [32]. In addition, increasing public awareness of the drawbacks of online DTC platforms, as the AUA has done in a press release in 2021, may help shift the balance toward evidence-based care [35].

Of note, online medication coupon providers, such as GoodRx^® used in our study, have their own drawbacks for prescribers and patients. As with any free online service, it must be monetized through advertisements or user data. In the past, GoodRx^® has received criticism for sharing user data with companies including Google and Facebook; however, for now, this policy has changed [36]. Such concerns will remain with any such service and their use should be approached with caution and due diligence on the part of both patient and physician.

This study is limited by the narrow scope of prices analyzed. Local, non-chain pharmacies were not included and thus the relative cost of fulfilling prescriptions at such locations cannot be assessed. Similarly, while five zip codes provide an approximately representative sample of prices in major urban and suburban areas across the United States, it is not truly comprehensive. Insurance coverage was not considered as it varies significantly by insurance plan; however, insurance coverage would likely reduce the cost of a physician visit and local pharmacy prescription as these are well-known services to insurance providers, unlike online DTC offerings. Finally, local physician visits and prescription fulfillments may incur additional costs to the patient not assessed in this study, such as those of public transportation, parking, or missed work. Special consideration should be made for the unique socioeconomic situation of individual patients, and changes made to a traditional schedule as necessary or appropriate.

Our findings suggest that a physician visit and medication filled by local pharmacies, in conjunction with online coupons, consistently provide a markedly less-expensive option for fulfillment of PDE5 inhibitor prescriptions than online DTC services, compounding, or Canadian pharmacies, in addition to the established benefits of physician visits. This is most pronounced if a patient has flexibility in where he fills his prescription and can use the available local price.

Author contributions

DS, FAY, LCJ: conceptualization, methodology; DS, LCJ: data collection, investigation; DS: formal analysis, visualization; DS, CAL, AB, FK, FAY, LCJ: manuscript preparation and editing; FAY, LCJ: supervision.

Data availability

Additional data are available upon request.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.