The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, an American healthcare insurance company, has collected data on the top 25 brand-name drugs with available generic counterparts.
Brand-name versus generic drug costs
Generics/General
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Posted 08/04/2011
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The data shows that the substantial savings can be made by switching from brand-name to generic medicines, and the biggest advantage of using a generic alternative is price. The Savings of as much as 90% over the cost of brand-name medications can be made when considering a 30-day supply. Generics on average cost 40–60% less than their brand-named counterparts.
| Brand name | Generic name | Treatment | Brand costs* | Generic costs* | Savings | |
| $ | % | |||||
| Accolate | Zafirlukast | Asthma | $118.7 | $80.51 | $38.19 | 32.17 |
| Accureti | Quinapril/ Hydrochlorothiazide | Hypertension | $42.64 | $25.68 | $16.96 | 39.77 |
| Ambien | Zolpidem Tartrate | Insomnia | $159.10 | $3.00 | $156.10 | 98.11 |
| Amerge | Naratriptan | Migraine | $1,042.00 | $505.50 | $536.50 | 51.49 |
| Aricept | Donepezil | Alzheimer's | $254.34 | $188.19 | $66.15 | 26.00 |
| Arimidex | Anastrozole | Breast cancer | $449.86 | $24.00 | $425.86 | 94.67 |
| Cardizem | Diltiazem | Hypertension/ Angina | $102.13 | $25.15 | $76.99 | 76.38 |
| Coumadin | Warfarin | Anticoagulent | $34.77 | $5.10 | $29.67 | 85.33 |
| Dilantin | Phenytoin | Epilepsy | $57.29 | $30.50 | $26.78 | 46.74 |
| Effexor | Venlafaxine | Antidepressant | $156.10 | $109.50 | $46.60 | 29.85 |
| Fiorinal with Codeine | Codeine/ Butalbital/ Asprin/ Caffeine | Migraine | $214.52 | $113.30 | $101.22 | 47.18 |
| Flomax | Tamsulosin | Enlarged prostate | $134.54 | $45.00 | $89.54 | 66.55 |
| Gengraf | Cyclosporine | Organ rejection/ rheumatoid arthritis/ psoriasis | $129.57 | $92.70 | $36.87 | 28.46 |
| Glucophage | Metformin | Type 2 diabetes | $94.04 | $11.70 | $82.34 | 87.56 |
| Hyzaar | Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide | Hypertension | $117.19 | $67.50 | $49.69 | 42.40 |
| Methylin | Methylphenidate | ADHD | $38.19 | $10.80 | $27.39 | 71.72 |
| Paceron | Amiodarone | Antiarrhythmic | $107.25 | $6.00 | $101.25 | 94.41 |
| Procardia XL | Nifedipine | Hypertension | $48.69 | $18.00 | $30.69 | 63.03 |
| Prograf | Tacrolimus | Organ transplant immunosuppresant | $571.36 | $436.14 | $135.22 | 23.67 |
| Prozac | Fluoxetine | Antidepressant | $136.52 | $3.00 | $133.52 | 97.80 |
| Tarka | Trandolapril/ Verapamil | Hypertension | $115.23 | $70.20 | $45.03 | 39.08 |
| Valium | Diazepam | Sedative (anti-anxiety) | $157.76 | $1.82 | $155.94 | 98.85 |
| Wellbutrin Xl | Bupropion | Antidepressant | $210.90 | $33.00 | $177.90 | 84.35 |
| Xyzal | Levocetirizine | Antihistamine | $119.05 | $69.00 | $50.05 | 42.04 |
| Zegerid | Omeprazole / Sodium Bicarbonate | Antacid | $217.71 | $145.20 | $72.51 | 33.31 |
* 30-day supply
ADHD = attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
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