title: Encouraging generic use can yield significant savings.
abstract: Key findings. (1) Zero copayment for generic drugs is the greatest influencer of generic statin utilization. (2) Both higher copayments for generic drugs and lower copayments for competing brands are associated with a decreased probability of using generic statins. (3) Prior authorization and step therapy requirements for brand-name statins are associated with an increased use of generic drugs. (4) Greater use of generic statins should reduce costs for patients, plans, and Medicare.
authors.affiliation: Changes in Health Care Financing & Organization (HCFO), USA. christina.zimmerman@academyhealth.org
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings / Q000191:economics*; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends*; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000191:economics; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics*; D054524:Medicare Part D / Q000191:economics*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D016568:Drugs, Generic; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D055553:Prescription Drugs