IMS Health: Generics Make Up 65% of Scripts

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Sixty-five percent of all U.S. prescriptions dispensed are filled with generics, at costs of 30% to 80% less than brands, according to numbers from IMS Health, Fairfield, Conn., released this week at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association Annual Meeting here. This represents only 20% of all dollars spent on prescription drugs and a 2% increase over last year, according to the figures. “Voters are going to the polls with access to affordable health care at the top of their minds,” said Kathleen Jaeger, Arlington, Va.-based GPhA president and chief executive officer. “Generics and biogenerics are the solution to reducing health care costs while increasing access to quality care. With generics saving consumers and the federal government billions of dollars a year, it’s clear that generics are the right choice for better health.” On Capitol Hill and in state capitals across the country, the generic industry will be working to help consumers receive greater access to affordable medicines, the association said in a release.

Read More of Today's Headlines