Be Drug Smart

Choose Generic Drugs

Generics Cost Less

According to a study published by Tim R. Covington, Executive Director of The Managed Care Institute at Samford University, an increase of only 1% in the nation's generic prescription utilization rate (approximately 27 million scripts) would generate a payer savings of $1.3 billion each year.

Generics are usually priced 30 to 75 percent less than equivalent brand-name drugs. Why?

• Brand name drug manufacturers invest large amounts of money to advertise and persuade you to buy their product.
  
  
• Generic drug manufacturers spend less on research and development. Generics only need to prove they are pharmacologically equivalent to the brand name drug.
  
  
• Generic versions of the same medication create competition—and competition can drive prices down.

Generics accounted for 51% of all prescriptions dispensed in 2002, but less than 8% of every dollar spent on prescription drugs.* That means more generics are being dispensed, and people are paying less for them.

For more generic drug information:

• Generics are safe and effective
  
  
• Ask about generics downloadable fact sheet (PDF)
  
  
• Search the Wellmark Drug List to find out if there are generic drugs that can save you money.
  
  
• Become a registered user of Wellmark.com to access BlueConnection^® Pharmacy Tools to learn about your drug costs, prescription history, and pharmacy benefits.

*Source: IMS Data