Generic usage rates in USA surpass all-time industry highs, according to new study

Prescription Solutions, a US pharmacy benefits management (PBM) organization, says it has achieved an industry-leading overall generic prescription drug penetration rate of 68.8% percent year-to-date for 2009.

According to an annual industry study of employer groups conducted by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) and sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the overall use of generic drugs by consumers has reached its highest levels to date: 63.5% for retail prescriptions and 53.6% for mail service. By comparison, Prescription Solutions' generic usage of 68.7% for retail prescriptions and 71.3% for mail service surpass rates typically achieved by employers as reported in the PBMI study and leads other large PBMs.

"Our overall retail and mail generic usage rates compare favorably with the PBMI study, another indicator of our success in providing our clients a quality, cost-effective drug benefit,' said Jacqueline Kosecoff, chief executive of Prescription Solutions. 'Generic medications provide strong value by lowering the per-member-per-month cost for health plans while also lowering the net drug cost for the consumer,' he added.