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Upstate New Yorkers are spending a lot of money on prescription drugs, according to a new report from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the region’s largest health in-surer.
Of the more than 3,000 drugs prescribed in Upstate in 2007, 10 brand-name drugs accounted for about 20 percent of the total spent on prescriptions in the region last year.
The report, titled “The Top 10 Drugs and Drug Categories in Upstate New York by Amount of Spending,” shows the region’s residents spent $5.5 billion on prescription medications in 2007, an increase of $210 million from the previous year. Spending on the top 10 brand-name pharmaceuticals - such as Lipitor and Nexium topped more than $1 billion.
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Excellus says it reflects the growing availability and use of prescription drugs, as well as a steep rise in the price of commonly used drugs.
“What we’re finding is the top drugs by cost and by (dollars) spent, in many cases, are often household names and the reason being they’re, in many cases, advertised directly to consumers, both in print and on television,” says Joel Owerbach, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Excellus.
Owerbach also says the survey highlights the need for consumers to realize that many high-priced prescription drugs have generic equivalents and alternatives that could save patients several hundred dollars per year in out-of-pocket costs.
“We struggle enough trying to pronounce the drug, let alone recognize there may be a half-a-dozen to a dozen different drugs that do the same kind of thing,” says Owerbach.
The report says Lipitor, which is used to treat cholesterol, accounted for the most spending at $241 million.
Owerbach says he’s not surprised that Lipitor tops the list, considering that doctors focus on treating cholesterol as a way to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, the drug’s maker, Pfizer, has promoted it extensively.
Also in the top five are Advair, which treats asthma/COPD; Protonix and Prevacid, which treat heartbum/ulcers; and Plavix, which helps prevent strokes.
The next five drugs on the top 10 list are Enbrel (used to treat arthritis/psoriasis), Nexium (prescribed for heartburn/ulcers), Singulair (used for asthma/allergies), Fosamax (treating osteoporosis), and Effexor XR (prescribed for depression).
Noting that all 10 drugs are more expensive brand-name prescriptions, Owerbach stresses the availability of generic drugs that will cost patients far less.
“There are generic options and alternatives available to treat those conditions that are much less expensive,” says Owerbach.
How much less? Owerbach says Lipitor can cost $100 per month, and even though it doesn’t have a generic equivalent, consumers have much less expensive generic choices for treating the same condition such as simvastatin, pravastatin, and lovastatin, which can cost as low as $10 per month or less.
He also points to the drugs Prevacid and Nexium, which he says can cost between $100 and $150 per month for treating acid reflux and heartburn.
Two generics in that category - omeprazole, also available over the counter as Prilosec OTC; and Protonix - are generally available for under $20 per month,” says Owerbach.
The report says generic Protonix, known as pantoprazole and used to treat heartburn, and generic Fosamax, known as alendronate and used to treat osteoporosis, became available in generic form in early 2008.
Excellus says generic equivalents are available for a lot of drugs, but not the newest ones approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). New drugs are granted an exclusive patent for a 17-year period. Once the patent expires, any pharmaceutical company can manufacture a generic version, with FDA approval.
The report presents estimates of the utilization and cost of prescription drugs by the entire population residing in 39 upstate New York counties, covering areas of Western, Central, and Northern New York
Analysis for the report was performed by FLRx, Excellus’ pharmacy management division.
Owerbach says a survey conducted in 2007 found that nine of 10 respondents felt generics were safe and effective medications. He says the survey involved 2,000 adults in upstate New York, including Excellus members and non-members.
Owerbach believes the findings indicate people are aware that generic drugs will work, but he says patients need to ask their doctor if prescription medicines have lower-priced alternatives.
“It’s a bit of awareness, it’s a bit of education, and it’s a bit of just making sure that people are asking the right questions when they’re seeing their health-care practitioner.”
Copyright Central New York Business Journal May 23, 2008
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
