Boost of generic drug use
06 January, 2006
Most companies already substitute pricey
brand-name drugs with chemically equivalent generic
drugs or lower-cost brands. But the real savings
for employers is using treatments that are generic in
the same therapy class before plan members are able
to use the more expensive brands, notes Dr. Steve Miller,
Express Scripts Inc.'s vice president of research.
More than $50 billion worth of brand-name drugs will
lose patent exclusivity over the next five years, meaning
more consumers will have access to lower-cost medication.
"Probably the biggest ones are the three Zs, Zithromax,
Zoloft and Zocor, which are all going off patent in
the next two years. Generic drugs are a wonderful option
as they provide same benefit in a cheaper rate.
To read more visit:
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