Significant Specialty Drug Trend Increase Is Expected to Continue

Over the next few years, numerous biosimilars are expected to hit the U.S. market, leading to more competition and potentially lower costs for some expensive medications. However, that will not be enough to offset the entrance of new high-cost drugs and expanded indications for specialty medicines, according to the latest Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG) “Spend and Trend” report.

The analysis, published on July 25, found that the per member per year (PMPY) cost for specialty drugs was $1,169 in 2022, a 14.1% increase from the previous year. After factoring in rebates, the PMPY increased by 12.5%, from $822 in 2021 to $925 in 2022.

PSG projects that the pre-rebate and post-rebate PMPY in 2025 will be $1,712 and $1,370, representing a 46.5% and 48.5% increase from last year, respectively.