Statewide Geographic Price Variation of Generic BPH Medications

The study conducted in 2020 examined the variation in out-of-pocket costs for generic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medications in Pennsylvania. The researchers identified all active pharmacies in Pennsylvania, divided the state into 9 regions, and generated a 20% random sample of big chain and independent pharmacies. They found that big chain pharmacies charged significantly more for BPH medications than independent pharmacies. Specifically, big chain pharmacies charged 350% more for tamsulosin and finasteride, 40% more for oxybutynin immediate release (IR), and 150% more for oxybutynin extended release (XL). However, independent pharmacies demonstrated more regional variation in their pricing. The study concluded that understanding pharmaceutical price variation across different regions could influence health policy changes at the state level.