Industry Research

2003 Drug Trend Report

Download Entire Report (1.5MB) (PDF file)

Preface (PDF file)

Executive Summary (PDF file)

Introduction (PDF file)

  • Background
  • Plans Take the Most Aggressive Action Seen in the Past Eight Years
  • Trends in Expenditures for Prescription Drugs
  • Market Trends in Prescription Drug Use
  • Report Changes

Overall Drug Trend (PDF file)

  • Components of Drug Trend
  • Utilization of Common Drugs
  • Inflation
  • Therapeutic Mix
  • Brand/Generic Mix
  • Units per Prescription
  • New Drugs
  • Specialty Drugs

Therapy Class Review (PDF file)

  • Antihyperlipidemics
  • Gastrointestinals
  • Antidepressants
  • Antihypertensives
  • Anti-Rheumatics (NSAIDs)
  • Antidiabetics
  • Antiasthmatics
  • Miscellaneous Endocrines
  • Narcotic Analgesics
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antivirals
  • Dermatologicals
  • Antihistamines
  • Calcium Blockers
  • Beta Blockers
  • Oral Contraceptives
  • Miscellaneous CNS Agents
  • Antineoplastics
  • Decongestants
  • Quinolones
  • Antipsychotics
  • Migraine Products
  • Stimulants/Anti-Obesity
  • Macrolides
  • Estrogens

Benefit Guide (PDF file)

  • Plan Design: A Stepwise Approach to Trend Management
  • Step 1: Formulary Development: The Backbone of Effective Trend Management
    • Is There Only One Formulary?
    • Formulary Design Selection: NEW LEARNINGS
  • Step 2: Guiding Principles for Plan Design
    • Manage Drug Trend While Promoting Appropriate Drug Use
    • Assign Cost-Sharing Amounts That Set Member Financial Responsibility Appropriately
    • Provide a Member-Friendly Benefit in Terms of Communication and Information Accessibility
    • Develop the Plan Design With a Three-Year Time Horizon
  • Step 3: A Cost-Sharing Structure That Meets the Goals and Needs of the Plan Sponsor
    • Coinsurance
    • Satisfaction With the Pharmacy Benefit: NEW LEARNINGS
    • Two-Tier Versus Three-Tier Copayments
    • Three-Tier Benefit Designs: NEW LEARNINGS
    • OTC Claritin®: NEW LEARNINGS
    • Closed Formularies
    • Emerging Plan Designs
  • Step 4: Point-of-Service Programs
    • Generic Policy
    • Prior Authorization
    • Step Therapy
    • Step Therapy for COX-2s: NEW LEARNINGS
    • Step Therapy: NEW LEARNINGS
    • Quantity Limits
    • Managing Use of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: NEW LEARNINGS
  • Step 5: Consumer-Driven Plan Designs
    • Express Choice: NEW LEARNINGS
  • Plan Design: Developing an Action Plan
    • Traditional Approach
    • Member-Incented Approach
    • Basic-Coverage Approach

Age and Gender Appendix (PDF file)

Express Scripts Research Studies, Authors and Contributors (PDF file)

 

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