New Research Shows Some Net Drug Prices Drop When Competition Heats Up

After the introduction of newly FDA-approved, competing products in their therapeutic classes, the net price growth rate of select medications declined, according to an analysis published in the August issue of Health Affairs. The findings suggest that both “me too” therapies and PBM rebate negotiation might have an important role to play in reducing costs, researchers say.

The study found there was an estimated $10.4 billion reduction in net commercial spending for the existing therapies in the first three years after the introduction of the new medications. The authors noted that represented an 18.5% decline in projected spending on the existing therapies compared with if the new medications had never hit the market.