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Generic antiepileptic drug substitution
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Safety confirmed by new studies By Stephanie Roller, MD, and Michael Privitera, MD
100 Influential Minnesota Health Care Leaders Recognizing excellence
W
e are pleased to present this special feature recognizing 100 leaders who help make health care in Minnesota a global model of excellence. Once every four years we invite our readers to submit the names of colleagues whose outstanding leadership can be acknowledged in these pages. We thank all those who participated in the nomination process and those who helped with the submissions.
Influence and leadership can take many forms—sometimes the most influential leaders can be found in the least aspiring places (Mother Theresa on the streets of Calcutta). Sometimes leadership is provided by those who are least visible. In some ways, the nature of providing health care at any level is an inherent act of leadership. The individuals presented here represent a
cross section of the breadth and depth of Minnesota’s health-care delivery system, from clinical care to health care policy to administration and management. Modifiers such as “most,” “best,” “top,” etc., do not apply to this list. Though the health care industry is constantly evolving, the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) over the past four years has brought perhaps the most dramatic changes since 1965 when President Johnson enacted Medicare. Many of the responses that follow reflect both the promise and challenges created by the ACA. We wish this group of health care professionals the best in leading the state through the exciting and challenging times that lie ahead. 100 Influential MN Health Care Leaders to page 16
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pproximately 2.2 million people in the United States have epilepsy (Institute of Medicine report, 2012) and it is estimated that the U.S. health care system spends more than $15.5 billion on epilepsy care annually. Use of generic medications among all therapeutic areas has been quoted to save patients $8 to 10 billion annually (according to the Congressional Budget Office). Widespread use of generic drugs has the potential to improve health care costs for both national and personal economy in the epilepsy community. Lower medication costs may lead to improved medication adherence resulting in improved seizure control. The difference between brand and generic products can be shocking: the cost of a 30-day supply of lamotrigine can decrease from $814 for the brand to $5 for the generic (Red Book Online). Generic antiepileptic drug substitution to page 46