INTRODUCTION: Continuous treatment with rifaximin 550 mg (hereafter rifaximin) is associated with lower hospitalization rates in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE)
however, access barriers may exist. This study assessed gaps in rifaximin access and the impact of treatment gaps, particularly those resulting from claim rejections, on hospitalizations and healthcare costs among patients with HE in the United States. METHODS: The IQVIA PharMetrics RESULTS: During the year following the index date, 94.7% of the 1711 patients experienced a treatment gap, including 34.8% with initiation gaps from first attempt at receiving rifaximin to first paid claim (77.7% of initiation gaps due to rejected claims) and 72.0% with gaps in access during active treatment (14.8% of active treatment gaps due to rejected claims). Compared with Cohort 1 (n = 432
mean age 56.3 years), Cohort 2 (n = 679
mean age 54.8 years) had 1.55 times the incidence rate of OHE hospitalizations [adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.10-2.20)] and incurred US 579 more in healthcare-associated costs per-patient-per-month (all p <
0.05). CONCLUSION: Prescription claim rejections frequently led to delays in rifaximin initiation and gaps in access during active treatment. Access barriers to rifaximin were associated with increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs in patients with HE.