Generic Drug Savings

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Generic drug savings are widely recognized as a long-term solution to rising health costs. The 2014 Express Scripts Drug Trend Report shows that since 2008, the price of brand drugs has almost doubled but the price of generic drugs has been cut roughly in half.6 Purchasing generic versions instead of their brand-name equivalent drugs can provide substantial savings, not only for state and local governments and Medicaid programs, but also for health insurers, employers, employees, and direct pay patients.11 The need for prescriptions typically increases with age and the savings made possible by generic drug use among older adults and seniors are critical to sustaining affordable health care.6
There are several factors affecting generic drug

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