Needed assumptions for potential savings from greater use of $4 generic drugs.

摘要

The study by Zhang and colleagues suggests patient and societal savings of dollar6 billion from more widespread use of dollar4 discounted generic medication programs. While possible, such savings depend on a number of unstated assumptions on marginal profitability, scalability, and absence of negative societal costs. First, for each additional script sold under such a program, gross margin has to be positive. If not, the store must recoup the loss from increased prices on other goods sold. This would mean some patient savings are others' costs, reducing societal savings. WalMart initially sacrificed margin but made some up on increased foot traffic and on branded medications. At current enrollments, they likely earn positive gross margin on dollar4 generics as a standalone product, but other pharmacy chains may not.