Brand Prescription Drug Use Decreases 16%, Spending Increases 8.2%

The Health Care Cost Institute recently released an analysis on healthcare cost and utilization trends for 2014. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         Spending on health care for the privately insured in the United States increased 3.4% in 2014.

·         In 2014 there was a 16% decrease in brand prescription medication use.

·         Spending on brand prescriptions jumped by $45 per capita (8.2%) in 2014.

·         In 2014, health care spending averaged $4,967 per person.

·         Out-of-pocket spending grew 2.2% to $810 in 2014.

·         The price/filled day of Hepatitis C drugs was $983.30, vs. $38.30 for other anti-infective medications.

Source: Health Care Cost Institute, October 29, 2015