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Drugs' Net Price Only Growing Modestly, Express Scripts Finds

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Overall unit cost in commercial insurance market was up only 2.5% in 2016 despite 11% list increase for brands, PBM's Drug Trend Report concludes; findings could be counterpoint to public and policymaker concerns with drug pricing.

Express Scripts HQ

Unit costs for all prescription drugs rose only 2.5% for Express Scripts Holding Co.’s commercial insurance clients in 2016 despite a nearly 11% average increase in list pricing for brands, according to the pharmacy benefit manager’s most recent Drug Trend Report, released Feb. 6.

“Average list prices for brand drugs rose 10.7% in 2016. However, unit prices for medications purchased by our clients rose...

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