Health Insurance Daily

Prescription Drugs | More Companies Encourage Increased Use of Generic Medications

A "growing number" of U.S. companies "are trying harder to push generic [prescription] drugs on their employees," as generic medications often cost 80% less than their brand-name equivalents, the Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the Journal, the "concerted push comes in part" because of an increasing availability of generic drugs and as companies try to reduce increasing medical costs.

In 2006, four top-selling brand-name medications became available in generic forms: cholesterol-lowering statin Zocor, antidepressant Zoloft, antibiotic Zithromax and the nasal spray Flonase. At least 11 more top-selling brand-name medication patents will expire by 2008, according to the Journal.

To view this article in its entirety click on Kaisernetwork.org.

posted by Mike @ 7:42 AM