U.S. branded drug prices soar as generic pressure rises

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42229722/ns/business-us_business/

Prices for the 15 best-selling drugs rose by much higher rates in 2010 than they did in each of the last five years, according to exclusive data from Thomson Reuters MarketScan, which measured the average cost of a daily dose as shown in medical claims data.

Two thirds of the drugs saw double-digit price hikes, well above inflation of 1.6 percent in 2010 measured by the consumer price index. The analysis indicates drug makers are scrambling to make as much money as possible from blockbuster drugs before their patents expire, while taking advantage of the fact that last year's healthcare reform bill did not cap drug prices.

IMS Health estimates that $25.4 billion in U.S. drug sales are at risk of generic competition this year as patents expire on iconic brands like Lipitor and Plavix. Another $26.1 billion in sales -- about 9 percent of the $300 billion market -- will lose patent protection next year.

IMS estimates that the U.S. healthcare system will reap at least $70 billion in savings over the next four years as brand-name medicines are replaced by lower-cost generics.

[bemildred]

1. I'm sure glad I don't have to take any of that stuff. nt

[shraby]

2. Knock on wood. Bout the time you hit 60, you will be taking

some kind of necessary medicine daily.

[bemildred]

3. I am 66 this year, and I do not.

I have found that various "supplements" are good for me, but I take no prescriptions, and no OTC remedies, regularly, just chromium, vit D, EFAs. Co-Q, etc., and I'm not very rigorous about it. I do consider the chromium and Co-Q "necessary" since they appear to have obvious good effects (regular heartbeat, lower blood pressure), but your mileage may vary, I have done no studies.

[shraby]

6. At 64 I didn't either, then I had a stroke. Now I take a blood

pressure medicine. My husband didn't either and at 67 he had a stroke..now he takes 3 different meds. Found out the two arteries in the back of his neck going to the brain were completely blocked..his body had created two more sometime during his life to do the job.

[bemildred]

7. I expect that would affect my attitude.

But you know something or other is going to get us all.

All of my siblings, the ones still alive, are on drug regimens of one sort of another, diabetes, circulatory issues, asthma, and the two dead ones died of liver cancer, so I try not to be arrogant about it.

Each day is a gift.

[bemildred]

4. PS: I do know that of which you speak, not saying you are wrong. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I'm 63 and take no prescription drugs.

[BuddhaGirl]

9. not necessarily

I certainly don't plan on it and don't want to feed greedy Big Pharma!

[Kennah]

10. I'm 43, the wife is 41, and we each take two meds

[Liberal Veteran]

11. I'm 45 and take 7 medications.

I win!

:P

[1776Forever]

5. Chronically ill patients can have trouble with some genetic drugs. There are slight differences

in the genetic manufacturing that can and does make these drugs manufacturing very important!

[Liberal Veteran]

12. It's not really a matter of being chronically ill.

It is more of just human variability. If the active ingredient is the same, it is just as likely one can take a particular generic but not the brand version of the drug due a sensitivity or allergy to an excipient (for example red dye or gluten) or vice versa.

[hedgehog]

13. We have people in our household with a number of chronic conditions.

I've had a good time watching the price collapse as the effective treatments go off patent and I can buy the generic versions. I'm still on the brand name for one - the generic just didn't work for me.