Generic versions of brand name medications have had a 40-year runway, yet consumer adoption remains grounded by skepticism for some.
Generic drugs are formulated to replicate already-marketed brand name medications, providing the same benefits at a lower cost. A commonly held misconception is that generic medications are less effective than name-brand counterparts due to the reduced cost. Generic drug manufacturers aren’t saddled with the high cost of research and development, while pioneer medications must undergo extensive animal and clinical studies to prove efficacy and safety.
Generic medications can’t escape rigorous Federal Drug Administration (FDA) review but can forgo the animal and clinical studies since the name-brand was already approved. When more generic medications enter the market, the competition often results in lower prices as well. According to the FDA, new generic medication entrants typically result in an 85% price reduction compared to the brand name.
Requesting the FDA-approved generic variant of a prescription is an easy way to reduce costs without reducing quality of care. Generic and biosimilar prescriptions accounted for 90% of all prescriptions filled in 2024 but only accounted for 12% of prescription spending.
Educating employees on the benefit of generic medications can positively impact premium costs and plan utilization. Lower-cost medications also lower the barrier between employees and improved health outcomes, improving the likelihood of consistent drug compliance. Consider sharing our flyer on generic medication usage with your employees.
For more ideas on how to promote cost-savings solutions throughout your employee population, refer to your Bukaty Companies benefits team.