Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Prescription Drugs Used by Older Americans

By: David Gross, AARP Public Policy Institute; Leigh Purvis, AARP Public Policy Institute; Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota | March 6, 2007

On this page:
2006 Reports | 2005 Reports| 2004 Reports

These AARP Public Policy Institute reports present the most recent results of studies of changes in manufacturers' brand name and generic prescription drug list prices (i.e., the prices set by drug manufacturers to charge wholesalers and other direct purchasers for drug products) for roughly 200 brand name and 75 generic prescription drugs most widely used by Americans age 50+.

Specifically, the reports compare price changes with the rate of inflation from one year to the next and, beginning in 2004, show changes on a quarterly basis. They also present differences in average price changes by manufacturer and by major therapeutic category. The sample of drugs studied was identified using 2003 data from the AARP Pharmacy Service, and changes in prices charged by drug manufacturers to wholesalers were measured using changes in the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC).

For more information, please contact Leigh Purvis at (202) 434-3902.

2006 Reports

Brand Name Prescription Drugs

• Updated 3/07 2006 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD154), March 2007 (PDF, 17 pages)
• Third Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD151), January 2007 (PDF, 14 pages)
• Second Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD146), September 2006 (PDF, 14 pages)
• First Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD140), June 2006 (PDF, 15 pages)

Generic Prescription Drugs

• Updated 3/07 2006 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD153), March 2007 (PDF, 4 pages)
• Third Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD152), January 2007 (PDF, 3 pages)
• Second Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD145), September 2006 (PDF, 2 pages)
• First Quarter 2006 Update (Publication ID: DD141), June 2006 (PDF, 3 pages)

2005 Reports

Brand Name Prescription Drugs

• 2005 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD134), April 2006 (PDF, 18 pages)
• Third Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD130), February 2006 (PDF, 14 pages)
• Second Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD128), October 2005 (PDF, 14 pages)
• First Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD121), July 2005 (PDF, 14 pages)

Generic Prescription Drugs

• 2005 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD135), April 2006 (PDF, 4 page)
• Third Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD131), February 2006 (PDF, 2 page)
• Second Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD127), October 2005 (PDF, 1 page)
• First Quarter 2005 Update (Publication ID: DD122), July 2005 (PDF, 4 pages)

2004 Reports

Brand Name Prescription Drugs

• Second and Third Quarter 2004 Update (Publication ID: DD107), March 2005 (PDF, 16 pages)
• 2004 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD112), April 2005 (PDF, 17 pages)
• First Quarter 2004 Update (Publication ID: IB69), June 2004 (PDF, 14 pages)
• Baseline Study (Publication ID: 2004-06), May 2004/Revised June 2004 (PDF, 44 pages)

Generic Prescription Drugs

• 2004 Year-End Update (Publication ID: DD113), April 2005 (PDF, 5 pages)
• Second and Third Quarter 2004 Update (Publication ID: DD110), February 2005 (PDF, 4 pages)
• First Quarter 2004 Update (Publication ID: DD103), October 2004 (PDF, 4 pages)
• Baseline Study (Publication ID: 2004-12), October 2004 (PDF, 41 pages)

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