Generic substitutions for brand-name medications could save $641 million per year, including $135 million paid by patients<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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THURSDAY, Dec. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Substituting brand-name with generic cardiovascular medications could potentially save $641 million per year, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes<\/em>.<\/p>\n Iris Ma, M.D., from the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular therapies using the Medicare Part D database of prescription medications in 2017. Drug fill patterns were assessed for therapies with available brand-name and generic options. The generic substitution ratio was examined, and potential savings associated with increased generic substitution were estimated at the national, state, and clinician levels.<\/p>\n The researchers found that ~$11.0 billion of the ~$22.9 billion spent on cardiovascular drugs in Medicare Part D prescription programs in 2017 was spent on medications with both brand-name and generic options. Brand-name choice represented 2.4 percent of medication fills, but accounted for 21.2 percent of total spending. Generic substitutions for these medications would save $641 million, including $135 million in costs shouldered by patients, after accounting for estimated brand-name rebates. A large proportion of the potential cost savings was due to the minority of clinicians with the lowest generic utilization.<\/p>\n “Increasing the use of generic medications would decrease patient out-of-pocket costs and make medications more affordable, which may, in turn, improve adherence rates and reduce the financial burden of medication therapy,” a coauthor said in a statement.<\/p>\n One author disclosed financial ties to Acumen LLC.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n