In 2016, the difference between the amount that the Medicare drug benefit program reported spending on 29 brand-name combination medications and the estimated spending for generic constituents for the same number of doses was $925 million, according to a study released today by JAMA. This includes $235 million if generic products had been prescribed at the same doses, $219 million using generic substitution at different doses, and $471 million from substitution of similar generic medications in the same therapeutic class. “Promoting generic substitution and therapeutic interchange through prescriber education and more rational substitution policies may offer important opportunities to achieve substantial savings in the Medicare drug benefit program,” the authors wrote.
 

Related News Articles

Headline
The Government Accountability Office May 29 released a report recommending the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services target behavioral health services…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 21 announced it will immediately begin annual audits of all Medicare Advantage plans and work to clear a…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services May 20 announced it has identified specific pricing targets for pharmaceutical manufacturers to meet to satisfy…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 12 released draft guidance for the third round of negotiations for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation…
Headline
The White House May 12 released an executive order to reduce prescription drug costs by allowing consumers to make direct purchases from drug manufacturers at…
Headline
Leaders from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the 2025 AHA Annual Membership Meeting May 5 discussed issues on the agency’s agenda in a…