Transcript BCBSA - G Shearer - Consumers Reports Best Buy Drugs

Improving Value of
Prescription Drug Dollars
Gail Shearer
Consumers Union
BCBSA Briefing on Generic Drugs
April 9, 2009
Consumer Reports Survey on Rx
Drug issues - Highlights
• 2,004 people 18+ interviewed by phone in Jan
2009, representative sample
• 881 (44%) take average of four Rx drugs
regularly for chronic illnesses
• Generics were 62% of drugs taken (selfidentified)
• Average monthly OOP cost: $66 but 13% spent
more than $100
CR Survey Findings - continued
• Actions to lower costs still high, and now
increased with recession
• 41% of the 881 reporting taking actions to cut Rx
drug costs
• 28% reported not complying - skipping refills,
skipping doses, etc
• Minority group members much more likely to
take these actions
CR Survey Findings - continued
• About half (47%) of Americans polled had
reservations or misconceptions about taking
generic drugs
– Different side effects (27%)
– Did not trust generic drugs as much as brands (23%)
– Not as effective as brand-name drugs (22%)
– Do not have to meet the same federal standards (18%)
– Not as safe (16%)
Identifying CR Best Buy Drugs
• Start with credible source of
unbiased, rigorous analysis of clinical
evidence about drug effectiveness
(DERP)
• Intense medical input through
consultants, internal CU review, and
medical peer review
• Selections based on effectiveness,
safety record, and price
Possible Annual Savings: 5 Categories
• Statins
(cholesterol)
• Proton Pump Inhibitors:
(acid reflux and ulcers)
• NSAIDs
(arthritis and pain)
• Anti-depressants
• Beta Blockers
(high blood pressure)
$1,300
$1,740
$2,200
$1,200
$1,900
Monthly Costs of Equally Effective Drug Choices: NSAIDs,
Antidepressants, ACE Inhibitors, 2005
$180
$171
$168
$160
$140
Monthly Cost
$120
$100
$77
$80
$60
$40
$24
$16
$20
$9
$0
Ibuprofen
Celebrex
NSAIDs
Fluoxetine
Antidepressants
Zoloft
Prilosec OTC
Proton Pum Inhibitors
Nexium