Jump to content

Choose locationSutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center
  • Research
  • Health Policy
Content

Determinants of generic drug substitution in the United States.

Description

Segal JB, Onasanya O, Daubresse M, Lee CY, Moechtar M, Pu X, Dutcher SK, Romanelli RJ., Ther Innov Regul Sci. 2168479018820050. doi: 10.1177/2168479018820050. [Epub ahead of print], 2019 Jan 13

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some classes of drugs have lower than optimal uptake of generic products. We aimed to understand the determinants of generic drug substitution across classes.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2013 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from Truven Health Analytics. We quantified generic substitution rates (GSR) for 26 drug classes, choosing one representative week in November 2013. We used mixed-effects logistic regression to estimate the independent relationship between the determinants of interest and generic substitution for 8 classes with low generic utilization.

RESULTS: The GSRs for most classes exceeded 90%, although some were much lower including thyroid hormones (64%), androgens (74%), estrogens (71%), and hydantoin-type anticonvulsants (72%). The determinants of generic substitution varied across classes, albeit with important patterns. Patients using a mail order pharmacy had significantly less generic substitution than patients filling at retail pharmacies for 5 of the 8 studied classes; two additional classes showed no relationship between pharmacy type and generic use. Men relative to women and patients taking more medications were more likely to use generics for most classes. State substitution laws and patient consent laws were largely inconsequential regarding generic substitution.

CONCLUSIONS: Policies are needed to support the use of safe, effective and often lower cost generic drugs, when available. Mail order pharmacies, as often required by pharmacy benefits managers, lessen generic use for many classes. These pharmacies may require additional regulatory oversight if this adversely impacts patients.

Pubmed Abstract

Pubmed AbstractOpens New Window

Associated Topics

  • Health Policy
  • Medical Informatics

Related Publications

Medication burden in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Wright EA, Steinhubl SR, Jones JB, Barua P, Yan X, Van Loan R, Frederick G, Bhandary D, Cobden D.
Am J Manag Care. 2017 Apr 1;23(4):e106-e112.
2017 Apr 01

Lower copay and oral administration: predictors of first-fill adherence to new asthma prescriptions.

Berger Z, Kimbrough W, Gillespie C, Boscarino JA, Wood GC, Qian Z, Jones JB, Shah NR.
Am Health Drug Benefits. 2(4):174-80.
2009 Jun 01

Meta-analysis 101: what you want to know in the era of comparative effectiveness.

Jones JB, Blecker S, Shah NR.
Am Health Drug Benefits. 1(3):38-43.
2008 Apr 01

Machine-based expert recommendations and insurance choices among Medicare Part D enrollees.

Bundorf MK, Polyakova M, Stults C, Meehan A, Klimke R, Pun T, Chan AS, Tai-Seale M.
Health Aff (Millwood). 38(3):482-490. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05017.
2019 Mar 01

Patient experiences in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Stults CD, Baskin AS, Bundorf MK, Tai-Seale M.
J Patient Experience. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517739413
2017 Nov 21
The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences