title: National trends in prescription drug expenditures and projections for 2015.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An analysis of trends in U.S. pharmaceutical spending is presented, including projections for drug expenditures in nonfederal hospital and clinic settings in 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prescription drug expenditure data through September 2014 were obtained from the IMS Health National Sales Perspectives database and were analyzed descriptively. Other factors that may influence prescription spending in hospitals and clinics in 2015, including new drug approvals and patent expirations, were analyzed. Expenditure projections were based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative analyses and expert opinion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total prescription sales for the 12 months ending September 30, 2014, were $360.7 billion, 12.2% higher than during the previous 12 months. With $6.6 billion in expenditures in the first 9 months of 2014, sofosbuvir topped the overall list of drugs based on sales, followed by aripiprazole and insulin glargine. Pharmaceutical spending by clinics and nonfederal hospitals rose by 13.3% and 4.0%, respectively. For the first 9 months of 2014, the top drugs based on expenditures were infliximab, pegfilgrastim, and epoetin alfa in clinics and infliximab, rituximab, and pegfilgrastim in hospitals. Specialty drugs continued to constitute an increasing portion of drug expenditures and will contribute to higher expenditures in 2015.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Growth in U.S. prescription drug expenditures is expected to continue to increase in 2015. The projected increases in total drug expenditures are 7-9% across all settings, 12-14% in clinics, and 5-7% in hospitals. Health-system pharmacy leaders should carefully examine their own local drug utilization patterns to determine their own organization's anticipated spending in 2015.
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison. schumock@uic.edu.
authors: Glen T
authors: GT
authors: Schumock
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Edward C
authors: EC
authors: Li
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Katie J
authors: KJ
authors: Suda
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Michelle D
authors: MD
authors: Wiest
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Joann
authors: J
authors: Stubbings
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Matusiak
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Hunkler
authors: Glen T. Schumock, Pharm.D., M.B.A., Ph.D., FCCP, is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago. Edward C. Li, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCOP, is Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME. Katie J. Suda, Pharm.D., M.S., is Research Health Scientist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, and Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago. Michelle D. Wiest, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP, is Vice President, Pharmacy Services, UC Health, Cincinnati, OH, and Clinical Associate Professor, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Joann Stubbings, B.S.Pharm., M.H.C.A., is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, and Assistant Director, Specialty Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. Linda M. Matusiak, B.A., is Senior Manager, Research Support, IMS Health, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Robert J. Hunkler, M.B.A., is Director, Professional Relations, IMS Health. Lee C. Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, is Director, Center for Clinical Knowledge Management, UW Health, Madison, WI, and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors: Lee C
authors: LC
authors: Vermeulen
mesh_terms: D017277:Drug Approval / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000639:trends*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs