The Impact of Social Proximity on Conversion to Generic Prescription Medications

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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The Impact of Social Proximity on Conversion to Generic Prescription Medications

Conditions
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Conversion From Brand Name to Generic Medication

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Testimonial and Union Arm<br>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. | Other: Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications<br>* 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.<br>|
| Experimental: Control<br>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. | Other: Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications<br>* 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.<br>|
| Experimental: Testimonial Treatment Arm<br>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. | Other: Social Proximity and Conversion to Generic Medications<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Behavioral Economics, Generic Medication, Brand Name Medication, Conversion Rates, Social Proximity