Editorial Comment: Rising Cost of Prescription Drugs and the Importance of Generic Medications
February 2019
in “
Urology
”
TLDR Generic drugs for benign prostatic hyperplasia can cost up to 500% more at chain pharmacies compared to independent ones.
The editorial highlighted the significant variation in the prices of generic medications used for benign prostatic hyperplasia in a specific geographic area around Pittsburgh. The study found that prices for drugs like tamsulosin, finasteride, and extended-release oxybutynin varied by up to 500% between pharmacies, with chain pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens) being significantly more expensive than independent ones. This price disparity underscores the importance of promoting the use of generic medications to manage drug costs effectively.