Drug Competition

The U.S. has a number of policies related to drug pricing, affordability, and availability. To encourage manufacturers to innovate with new therapies, patent policy rewards the creation of new branded medicines. As those patents come to an end, generic drug manufacturers may enter a market and seek to sell their products at lower prices than the competing brand drugs.

Biosimilars provide competition for biologics, which account for a significant and growing portion of Medicare Part B drug spending. This report evaluates the current state of biosimilar competition in Medicare Part B and explores opportunities to achieve further savings.

The U.S. supply chain for provider-administered outpatient drugs involves several entities, including drug manufacturers, wholesalers, healthcare providers (e.g., outpatient facilities, hospital pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and standalone clinics), group purchasing organizations (GPOs), payers, and beneficiaries.

This study, commissioned by ASPE, uses multiple data sources to 1) assess trends in pharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions (M&As) over the 2010-2023 period; 2) evaluate characteristics of drugs involved in M&As, and 3) examine the effects of M&As on the pharmaceutical supply chain.

We report findings of a case study of Civica Rx, a U.S. nonprofit pharmaceutical company whose model is based on long-term hospital membership agreements with minimum volume commitments and buffer stock requirements.Related Products:

In 2022, 43.3 million Medicare Part D enrollees (82 percent) filled 1.1 billion prescriptions for generic prescription drugs. While most enrollees filled at least one prescription for $2 or less, most (54 percent) paid more than $2 for at least one generic drug. Over 6 million enrollees filled at least one prescription for over $20.

The cornerstone of a well-functioning market is competition. President Biden’s Executive Order 14036, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” identified a lack of competition as a key driver for problems across economic sectors.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released new research on spending and utilization trends of Medicare Part B drugs, drugs administered in physicians' office or hospital outpatient departments rather than being purchased at the pharmacy counter or by mail order.