Primary Listings
Average Cost for Asthma Medications in Children
Statistical Brief # 341 shows average cost for children's asthma medications; average $123 out of pocket, of $605 total medication cost, in 2007-2008. Growth in number of asthma patients is compared to ten years earlier. MEPS data published Sept. 2011
Average Cost for Dermatology Prescriptions 2008
Average cost for a prescription dermatologic agent (e.g. drug or topical product to treat acne, fungal infections, psoriasis) was $67 in 2008. For people who had dermatology prescriptions, their costs averaged $152. Data from the MEPS survey in 2008; Statistical Brief #356, Feb. 2012
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
Drug report cost updates on prescription medicines such as Alzheimer's Disease drugs, statins, beta blockers, antidepressants, ACE inhibitors, heartburn and acid reflux drugs, antihistamines, triptans for migraine headaches, overactive bladder drugs, ADHD drugs, and more. Search by condition or by drug name. From the widely respected Consumer Reports
Drugs: Trends in Brand Name and Generic Prescriptions, 1999 and 2003
By 2003, 53% of people in the US purchased at least one brand name drug; average expense was $82.53. About 46% purchased a generic drug, with an average expense of $33.53. Statistical Brief 144 by AHRQ (published October 2006) uses MEPS data. Click on PDF Link to see the 5-page report
Generic Drug and Cost Calculator (Interactive)
Compare costs of brand name drugs against generic prescription drugs. Site (bcbst.com) is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Healthcare Expenses for Seniors (MEPS 2006 data)
Special report on Health Care Expenditures for the Elderly Age 65 and over, shows median annual expenditures were $4032 in 2006, vs. $2204 in 1996. Average expenses for those with expense were $9080. Medicare paid about 61%; private insurance paid 14%; out-of-pocket amount was 15%. Nearly 97% of seniors had some healthcare expense, most often office-based care and prescribed medicines. Medications took up 22% of the total, averaging $174 per purchase. For seniors, the inpatient room rate averaged $2714 per day (2006); ER visit was $651 on average; office visit was $180. MEPS Statistical Brief #256, Aug. 2009
Osteoporosis Medicine Wholesale Prices (2007)
Average Wholesale Prices (AWP) sourced to Red Book 2007 for medicines related to osteoporosis, such as trademarked names Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Reclast, Evista; hormones such as Miacalcin, Fortical, Premarin, Prempro, Premphase, Forteo; generic calcium and Vitamin D. Actual retail prices for 2009-2010 are expected to be different. Guide to Osteoporosis Treatments by AHRQ, June 2008
Other Helpful Listings
Allergic Rhinitis Expenses, 2005 (May 2008 pdf)
More than 7% of people in the US experienced hay fever or other forms of allergic rhinitis in 2005. Average expenditures per person were $520, of which $305 were for prescription medicines (up almost 50% from 2000). The MEPS database was used to study healthcare use for allergies related to dust, dander or plant pollens. AHRQ Statistical Brief #204
CEO PayWatch Database
Web site by the AFL-CIO permits searches to find CEO compensation in publicly traded companies. Listed alphabetically by name of company. Healthcare, Insurance, and Pharmaceutical industries are included in the Database
KRAS testing and Erbitux effectiveness
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Bulletin reports Colorectal Cancer Drugs Require Careful Patient Selection (June 2008). Patients with advanced colorectal cancer who have mutant forms of the gene KRAS in their tumors should NOT receive chemotherapy plus cetuximab (Erbitux), because they are unlikely to benefit from the treatment and should be spared the side effects and cost. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reports 24-dose cost of $71,120 per patient
What is the healthcare cost for influenza? (MEPS data)
Data from 2001-2003 flu seasons show 1.5 percent of the population reported treatment of influenza. Average expenditures were $52 for drugs, $116 for ambulatory care, and $397 for hospital ER visit (for those who used these services), shown in 2003 dollars. Consumers are advised to inquire about 2009 prices, which could easily be at least 23% higher from inflation alone. MEPS Statistical Brief #116, March 2006