HSGAC

MINORITY STAFF REPORT

U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, Minority Office

MANUFACTURED CRISIS

How Devastating Drug Price Increases Are Harming 

America’s Seniors
Page | 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report examines the history of rising drug prices for the brand-name drugs most

commonly prescribed for seniors. Each year, Americans pay more for prescription drugs, and

rising drug prices have a disproportionate impact on older Americans.1, 2 Older individuals, for 

example, are far more likely to have used at least one prescription drug, as well as a greater 

number of prescription drugs, in the past 30 days than other Americans.3 According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91% of individuals over the age of 65 reported 

taking at least one prescription drug, with 67% of all seniors taking at least three prescription 

drugs, and 41% taking five or more.4 In 2015 alone, the average retail prices for 768 prescription 

drugs widely used by older Americans—including 268 brand-name drugs, 399 generic drugs, and 

101 specialty drugs—increased 6.4% compared with a general inflation rate of 0.1%.5 Increases 

on brand-name drugs were even higher, with retail prices for brand-name drugs widely used by 

older Americans increasing by an average of 15.5% in 2015—marking the fourth year in a row 

with a double-digit increase.6

 1 Modern Healthcare, Price Hikes Doubled Average Drug Price Over 7 Years: AARP (Feb. 28, 2016) 

(www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160228/NEWS/302219999). 2 Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Seniors Vulnerable to Drug Price Spikes (Jan. 21, 2016) 

(squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/seniors-vulnerable-to-drug-price-spikes/). 3 Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for 

Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2016 (DHHS Publication No. 2017-1232) (May 2017) 

(www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#079). 4 Id.

5 AARP, Rx Price Watch Report: Trends in Retail Prices of Prescription Drugs Widely Used by Older Americans: 

2006-2015 (Dec. 2017) (www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2017/11/trends-in-retail-prices-of-prescription-drugswidely-used-by-older-americans-december.pdf). 6 AARP, Rx Price Watch: Trends in Retail Prices of Brand Name Prescription Drugs Widely Used by Older 

Americans, 2006 to 2015 (Dec. 2016) (www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2016-12/trends-in-retail-prices-dec2016.pdf).
Page | 2

At the request of Ranking Member Claire McCaskill, the minority staff of the Committee 

on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs reviewed price increases in the last five years 

across the top 20 most-prescribed brand-name drugs for seniors.

KEY FINDINGS

• As a way to approximate the brand-name drugs most commonly prescribed for seniors, the 

minority staff identified the 20 most-prescribed brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D 

program. In 2015, the top 20 most-prescribed brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D were 

Advair Diskus, Crestor, Januvia, Lantus/Lantus Solostar7, Lyrica, Nexium, Nitrostat, Novolog, 

Premarin, Proair HFA, Restasis, Spiriva Handihaler, Symbicort, Synthroid, Tamiflu, Ventolin HFA, 

Voltaren Gel, Xarelto, Zetia, and Zostavax.8

• Prices increased for each of these drugs in the last five years. On average, prices for these 

drugs increased 12% every year for the last five years—approximately ten times higher than 

the average annual rate of inflation.9, 10

• Twelve of these drugs (60%) had their prices increased by over 50% in the five-year period. 

Thirty-five percent—or six of the 20—had prices increases of over 100%. In one case, the 

average wholesale acquisition cost for a single drug increased by 477% over a five-year 

period.11

• Although 48 million fewer prescriptions were written for the brand-name drugs most 

commonly prescribed for seniors between 2012 and 2017, total sales revenue resulting from 

these prescriptions increased by almost $8.5 billion during the same period.12

 7 Lantus/Lantus Solostar are both insulin glargine drugs used to treat diabetes. Lantus is an injectable drug that 

is sold as a vial and syringe set. Lantus Solostar is an injectable pen. 8 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Part D Prescriber Data CY 2015: National Summary Table (May 25, 

2017) (www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-ChargeData/PartD2015.html). 9 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. The IQVIA National Prescription Audit reports estimated national prescription activity for all 

biopharmaceutical products dispensed by retail, mail, and long-term care outlets in the United States. The IQVIA 

National Sales Perspectives reports estimated national sales activities for all biopharmaceutical products sold to retail 

and non-retail outlets in the United States. NSP includes pricing information for both average wholesale acquisition cost 

and average trade sales to retail and non-retail outlets, but does not reflect off-invoice price concessions that reduce 

the net amount. (IQVIA data reflect proprietary estimates of market activity and are available for use under license from 

IQVIA. IQVIA expressly reserves all rights, including rights of copying, distribution and republication.)

10 Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Consumer Price Index, 1913-

(www.minneapolisfed.org/community/financial-and-economic-education/cpi-calculator-information/consumer-priceindex-and-inflation-rates-1913) (accessed Feb. 28, 2018). 11 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 12 Id. These figures include prescriptions and sales figures nationwide, not just in Medicare Part D.
Page | 3

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

Soaring drug prices are driving up health care costs each year. In 2016, prescription drug 

spending totaled $328.6 billion.13 According to the most recent National Heath Expenditure 

(NHE) data published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), retail 

prescription drug spending grew at an average pace of 4.8% between 2006 and 2015, with two 

of the highest-growth years occurring in 2014 and 2015 at 12.4% and 9.0%, respectively.14

Even with Medicare coverage, many older individuals also face substantial out-ofpocket costs, particularly for specialty and brand-name drugs.15 In 2013, the latest year for 

which CMS cost and use data is available, $1 out of every $5 that Medicare beneficiaries spent 

in out-of-pocket health care costs (excluding premiums) went towards prescription drugs.16

Medicare beneficiaries’ average out-of-pocket health care spending is projected to 

continue to increase. According to one study, this spending is expected to rise from 41% of 

beneficiaries’ per capita Social Security income in 2013 to 50% in 2030.17 In 2030, Medicare 

beneficiaries ages 85 and over are projected to spend a full 87% of their Social Security 

income—$4,400 more out of pocket for health care on average—while beneficiaries ages 65 to 

74 are projected to spend an additional $2,000 on out-of-pocket spending on average.18 

At the request of Ranking Member Claire McCaskill, the minority staff of the Committee 

on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs reviewed the history of price increases across 

the most-prescribed brand-name drugs for seniors over the last five years to better understand

the role brand-name drug price increases play in driving health care costs. As a way to 

approximate the brand-name drugs most commonly prescribed to seniors, the minority staff 

collected CMS data for the top 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs to Medicare 

Part D beneficiaries in 2015, the most recent year for which prescriber data is available. Using 

data from the IQVIA National Sales Perspectives information service, the minority staff evaluated 

the annual prescription numbers, sales numbers, and weighted prices for the average wholesale 

acquisition cost for those 20 brand-name drugs.19 The annual weighted average wholesale 

acquisition cost is calculated based on the total number of prescriptions for each particular 

 13 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NHE Fact Sheet (Dec. 06, 2017) (www.cms.gov/research-statisticsdata-and-systems/statistics-trends-and-reports/nationalhealthexpenddata/nhe-fact-sheet.html). 14 Quintiles IMS Institute, Understanding the Drivers of Drug Expenditure in the U.S. (Sept. 2017) 

(www.iqvia.com/institute/reports/understanding-the-drivers-of-drug-expenditure-in-the-us). 15 Kaiser Family Foundation, 10 Essential Facts About Medicare and Prescription Drug Spending (Nov. 10, 2017) 

(www.kff.org/infographic/10-essential-facts-about-medicare-and-prescription-drug-spending/). 16 Id. 17 Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Health Care Spending as a Share of Income 

Now and Projections for the Future (Jan. 26, 2018) (www.kff.org/report-section/medicare-beneficiaries-out-of-pockethealth-care-spending-as-a-share-of-income-now-and-projections-for-the-future-report/). 18 Id. 19 NHE data published by CMS reflects an estimation of net spending for payers (including patients) on 

prescription drugs using total spending amounts reported by retail and mail order pharmacies. The IQVIA data reflecting 

the total number of annual prescriptions and annual sales for the brand-name prescription drugs referenced in this report 

are calculated based on average trade sales to retail and non-retail outlets, including invoiced sales by wholesalers and 

direct sales by manufacturers to customers. IQVIA data incorporates known discounts and rebates available for sales to 

pharmacies. However, discount and rebate information is not widely available and the data typically do not capture 

off-invoice discounts, coupons, or rebates offered by manufacturers to non-pharmacy customers. However, limited 

research on net prices available from IQVIA shows that net prices of brand-name drugs are also increasing, but at a 

slower rate than wholesale acquisition costs. The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the 

Committee based on data selected from the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit 

(NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for 

the period from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017.
Page | 4

brand-name drug over the course of the year.20 Using the annual weighted average price for 

wholesaler acquisition cost, the minority staff determined the approximate increase in drug 

prices for the top 20 brands.21 All references to price increases below refer to the wholesale 

acquisition cost for each product.

 20 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 21 Typically, the wholesaler acquisition cost (WAC) price reflects the list price. WAC price generally does not 

account for any coupons or discounts that manufacturers provide insurers, medical providers, and pharmacy benefit 

managers (PBMs). The annual weighted average WAC price is based on the total number of prescriptions for each 

particular brand-name drug over the course of the year. However, because of periodic price changes throughout the 

year, or changes in supply or form of the prescription, drug pricing trends associated with the weighted average WAC 

price may not accurately reflect the drug pricing trends for the most popular type of prescription for each brand-name 

drug (i.e., the most popular dosage, form, or length of supply).
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INVESTIGATION OF PRICES FOR DRUGS FOR SENIORS

In 2015, the top 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs for seniors were Advair 

Diskus, Crestor, Januvia, Lantus/Lantus Solostar, Lyrica, Nexium, Nitrostat, Novolog, Premarin, 

Proair HFA, Restasis, Spiriva Handihaler, Symbicort, Synthroid, Tamiflu, Ventolin HFA, Voltaren Gel, 

Xarelto, Zetia, and Zostavax.22 On average, prices for these drugs increased 12% every year for 

the last five years—approximately ten times higher than the average annual rate of 

inflation.23, 24, 25 See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Popular Drug Price Change vs. Inflation26, 27, 28

 22 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Part D Prescriber Data CY 2015: National Summary Table (May 25, 

2017) (www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-ChargeData/PartD2015.html).The manufacturers of the top 20 drugs are GlaxoSmithKline (Advair Diskus, Ventolin HFA), 

AstraZeneca (Crestor, Nexium, Symbicort), Merck & Co., Inc. (Januvia, Zetia, Zostavax), Sanofi-Aventis (Lantus/Lantus 

Solostar), Pfizer (Lyrica, Nitrostat, Premarin), Novo Nordisk (Novolog), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Proair HFA), 

Allergan (Restasis), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Spiriva Handihaler), AbbVie Inc. (Synthroid), HoffmannLa Roche (Tamiflu), Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Voltaren Gel), Janssen Pharmaceutica (Xarelto). 23 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Part D Prescriber Data CY 2015: National Summary Table (May 25, 

2017) (www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-ChargeData/PartD2015.html). 24 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 25 Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Consumer Price Index, 1913-

(www.minneapolisfed.org/community/financial-and-economic-education/cpi-calculator-information/consumer-priceindex-and-inflation-rates-1913) (accessed Feb. 28, 2018). 26 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Part D Prescriber Data CY 2015: National Summary Table (May 25, 

2017) (www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-ChargeData/PartD2015.html). 27 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 28 Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Consumer Price Index, 1913-

(www.minneapolisfed.org/community/financial-and-economic-education/cpi-calculator-information/consumer-priceindex-and-inflation-rates-1913) (accessed Feb. 28, 2018).

14.2%

15.1%

13.8%

10.3%

7.6%

1.5% 1.6%

0.1%

1.3% 2.0%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017

Annual Increase - Average Weighted WAC Price (20 Most-Prescribed Brand-Name

Medicare Part D Drugs, 2015)

Inflation (CPI-U)
Page | 6

All 20 of these drugs experienced consistent price increases over the last five years, with 

total percentage increases ranging from 31% to 477%. See Figure 2.

Figure 2: Annual Price Increases of Most Commonly Prescribed Brand-Name Drugs29

Product

2012 Annual 

Weighted 

Average WAC 

Price

2017 Annual 

Weighted 

Average 

WAC Price

Average 

Annual Percent 

Change (2012-

2017)

Percent 

Change 

(2012-2017)

Advair Diskus $227.60 $360.86 10% 59%

Crestor $349.31 $615.65 12% 76%

Januvia $306.58 $517.91 11% 69%

Lantus $121.88 $250.24 15% 105%

Lantus Solostar $144.15 $354.12 20% 146%

Lyrica $264.43 $600.35 18% 127%

Nexium $256.99 $368.85 7% 44%

Nitrostat $15.91 $91.76 42% 477%

Novolog Flexpen $131.95 $313.05 19% 137%

Premarin $255.94 $554.60 17% 117%

Proair Hfa $39.96 $54.05 6% 35%

Restasis $167.62 $321.26 14% 92%

Spiriva $244.77 $348.30 7% 42%

Symbicort $206.05 $293.46 7% 42%

Synthroid $96.35 $153.82 10% 60%

Tamiflu $97.94 $143.18 8% 46%

Ventolin $34.67 $50.68 8% 46%

Voltaren Gel $35.86 $50.96 7% 42%

Xarelto $258.82 $449.51 12% 74%

Zetia $225.63 $483.71 16% 114%

Zostavax $1,044.36 $1,363.08 5% 31%

 29 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017.
Page | 7

Manufacturers increased prices by over 50% for 12 out of these 20 drugs—or 60% of the 

drugs—during the five-year period. Manufacturers increased prices by 100% for six of the 20 

drugs—or 35%—during this same period. See Figure 2. Nitrostat30 had the most significant price 

increase of all 20 drugs. According to IQVIA data, the weighted average wholesale acquisition 

cost for Nitrostat increased 477% between 2012 and 2017.31 See Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 3: Price Increase for Nitrostat32

 30 Nitrostat (Nitroglycerin) is used to treat and prevent chest pain. GoodRx, Nitrostat

(www.goodrx.com/nitrostat/what-is) (accessed Feb. 16, 2017). 31 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 32 Id. 

$15.91 

$26.16 

$31.31 

$40.44 

$71.03 

$91.76 

 $-

 $20

 $40

 $60

 $80

 $100

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

WAC Price

Year
Page | 8

Even smaller percentage increases can result in significantly higher prices for expensive 

and commonly prescribed prescription drugs. For example, the third most commonly prescribed 

drug, Crestor, experienced what appears to be a common price increase of 12% in weighted 

average wholesale acquisition cost each year for the past five years.33, 34 These annual price 

increases resulted in a 76% price increase for Crestor over five years, taking the price from 

$349.31 in 2012 to $615.65 in 2017.35 See Figure 4.

Figure 4: Price Increase for Crestor36

Price increases for the top 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs for seniors

have driven an astonishing increase in sales revenue for their manufacturers. Despite the fact 

that total prescriptions written for these drugs decreased by more than 48 million between 2012 

and 2017, total sales revenue resulting from these prescriptions increased by almost $8.5 billion.37 

See Figure 5.

Figure 5: Total U.S. Prescriptions of Most Commonly Prescribed Brand-Name Drugs38

Product

2012 Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)

2017 Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)

Prescription 

Difference

(2012-2017)

Percent Change 

(2012-2017)

Ventolin HFA 17,414,376 27,069,765 9,655,389 55%

Proair HFA 24,873,170 25,977,546 1,104,376 4%

Synthroid 23,073,988 18,411,640 -4,662,348 -20%

 33 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Part D Prescriber Data CY 2015: National Summary Table (May 25, 

2017) (www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-ChargeData/PartD2015.html). 34 The information cited above was calculated by minority staff of the Committee based on data selected from 

the following IQVIA information services: IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) for the period from January 1, 2012, 

through December 31, 2017, and IQVIA National Sales Perspectives (NSP) for the period from January 1, 2012, through 

December 31, 2017. 35 Id. 36 Id. 37 Id. 38 Id.

$349.31 

$390.49 

$427.79 

$484.96 

$569.84 

$615.65 

 $-

 $100

 $200

 $300

 $400

 $500

 $600

 $700

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

WAC Price

Year
Page | 9

Product

2012 Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)

2017 Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)

Prescription 

Difference

(2012-2017)

Percent Change 

(2012-2017)

Lantus 18,558,937

(combined 

figure)

17,004,123

(combined 

figure)

-1,554,814

(combine

d figure)

-8%

(combined 

figure)

Lantus Solostar

Advair Diskus 17,018,219 10,700,788 -6,317,431 -37%

Lyrica 9,114,028 10,373,276 1,259,248 14%

Januvia 8,893,922 9,913,198 1,019,276 11%

Symbicort 5,246,325 9,888,532 4,642,207 88%

Xarelto 1,078,207 9,593,823 8,515,616 790%

Spiriva 

Handihaler

9,625,240 5,759,976 -3,865,264 -40%

Novolog 3,385,303 5,045,237 1,659,934 49%

Restasis 2,818,474 3,037,271 218,797 8%

Nexium 22,021,459 2,246,968 -19,774,491 -90%

Tamiflu 3,316,707 2,143,796 -1,172,911 -35%

Premarin 5,223,690 2,046,125 -3,177,565 -61%

Voltaren Gel 2,954,278 1,964,665 -989,613 -33%

Zetia 7,915,532 1,730,633 -6,184,899 -78%

Crestor 25,337,566 1,604,070 -23,733,496 -94%

Zostavax 2,291,538 1,344,617 -946,921 -41%

Nitrostat 4,273,413 309,442 -3,963,971 -93%

TOTAL 214,434,372 166,165,491 -48,268,881 -33%

CONCLUSION

Soaring pharmaceutical drug prices remain a critical concern for patients and 

policymakers alike. Over the last decade, these significant price increases have emerged as a 

dominant driver of U.S. health care costs—a trend experts anticipate will continue at a rapid 

pace. Even as the total number of prescriptions for the brand-name drugs most commonly

prescribed to seniors has decreased over the past five years, total annual revenue for these 

drugs continues to increase each year following significant and consistent price increases. 

These findings underscore the need for further investigation by the Committee and other 

policymakers into dramatic price spikes and their impact on healthcare system costs and 

financial burdens for the growing U.S. senior population.
Page | 10

APPENDIX

Figure 6: List of 20 Drugs and Price Increases (Weighted Average WAC)39

Product

2012 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2012-

2013

2013 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2013-

2014

2014 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2014-

2015

2015 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2015-

2016

2016 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2016-

2017

2017 

WAC 

Price

CAGR 

% 2012-

2017

Percent 

Change 

2012-

2017

2012 

Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)40

2017 

Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)41

ADVAIR 

DISKUS 

03/2001 GSK

$227.60 12% $254.79 8% $276.03 8% $297.59 11% $330.97 9% $360.86 10% 59% 17,018,219 10,700,788 

CRESTOR 

08/2003 AZN $349.31 12% $390.49 10% $427.79 13% $484.96 18% $569.84 8% $615.65 12% 76% 25,337,566 1,604,070 

JANUVIA 

10/2006 MSD $306.58 8% $331.93 16% $385.18 17% $450.88 8% $487.94 6% $517.91 11% 69% 8,893,922 9,913,198 

LANTUS 

05/2001 S.A $121.88 24% $151.63 41% $213.71 16% $248.51 0% $248.51 1% $250.24 15% 105% 18,558,937 

(combined 

figure)42

17,004,123 

(combined 

figure)43

LANTUS 

SOLOSTAR 

07/2007 S.A

$144.15 27% $182.88 40% $255.53 31% $333.81 1% $336.48 5% $354.12 20% 146%

LYRICA 

08/2005 PFZ $264.43 20% $316.36 21% $382.22 20% $457.72 13% $519.00 16% $600.35 18% 127% 9,114,028 10,373,276 

NEXIUM 

03/2001 AZN $256.99 19% $305.46 20% $367.59 12% $411.61 -4% $393.39 -6% $368.85 7% 44% 22,021,459 2,246,968 

NITROSTAT 

05/1975 PFZ $15.91 64% $26.16 20% $31.31 29% $40.44 76% $71.03 29% $91.76 42% 477% 4,273,413 309,442 

NOVOLOG 

FLEXPEN 

02/2003 N-N

$131.95 23% $162.31 27% $206.84 30% $267.94 6% $283.42 10% $313.05 19% 137% 3,385,303 5,045,237 

PREMARIN 

01/1942 PFZ $255.94 16% $297.64 17% $347.98 18% $408.99 19% $486.13 14% $554.60 17% 117% 5,223,690 2,046,125 

PROAIR HFA 

12/2004 T9V $39.96 10% $44.11 7% $46.99 5% $49.29 4% $51.35 5% $54.05 6% 35% 24,873,170 25,977,546 

RESTASIS $167.62 11% $185.24 12% $207.00 18% $244.50 17% $285.72 12% $321.26 14% 92% 2,818,474 3,037,271 

 39 Id. 40 These numbers reflect IQVIA’s estimate of all prescriptions dispensed by retail, mail, and long-term care outlets in the United States, including those not 

covered under Medicare Part D. 41 These numbers reflect IQVIA’s estimate of all prescriptions dispensed by retail, mail, and long term care outlets in the United States, including those not 

covered under Medicare Part D. 42 Lantus/Lantus Solostar are both insulin glargine drugs used to treat diabetes. Lantus is an injectable drug that is sold as a vial and syringe set. 

The Lantus Solostar is an injectable pen. This chart reflects the prescriptions written for both forms of the single Lantus drug. 43 Lantus/Lantus Solostar are both insulin glargine drugs used to treat diabetes. Lantus is an injectable drug that is sold as a vial and syringe set. 

The Lantus Solostar is an injectable pen. This chart reflects the prescriptions written for both forms of the single Lantus drug.
Page | 11

Product

2012 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2012-

2013

2013 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2013-

2014

2014 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2014-

2015

2015 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2015-

2016

2016 

WAC 

Price

Percent 

Change 

2016-

2017

2017 

WAC 

Price

CAGR 

% 2012-

2017

Percent 

Change 

2012-

2017

2012 

Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)40

2017 

Prescriptions 

(U.S. total)41

03/2003 ALL

SPIRIVA 

HANDIHALER 

05/2004 B.I

$244.77 9% $265.89 6% $283.13 7% $303.38 6% $322.09 8% $348.30 7% 42% 9,625,240 5,759,976 

SYMBICORT 

06/2007 AZN $206.05 8% $222.85 8% $241.42 8% $260.93 6% $276.88 6% $293.46 7% 42% 5,246,325 9,888,532 

SYNTHROID 

12/1963 AV1 $96.35 6% $101.71 16% $118.35 13% $133.82 7% $142.89 8% $153.82 10% 60% 23,073,988 18,411,640 

TAMIFLU 

11/1999 ROC $97.94 6% $104.08 6% $110.28 3% $113.73 15% $131.27 9% $143.18 8% 46% 3,316,707 2,143,796 

VENTOLIN HFA 

02/2002 GSK $34.67 7% $37.01 6% $39.35 7% $42.26 16% $48.94 4% $50.68 8% 46% 17,414,376 27,069,765 

VOLTAREN GEL 

04/2008 END $35.86 2% $36.59 11% $40.74 11% $45.36 6% $48.08 6% $50.96 7% 42% 2,954,278 1,964,665 

XARELTO 

07/2011 JAN $258.82 11% $287.61 10% $317.27 14% $362.56 11% $401.63 12% $449.51 12% 74% 1,078,207 9,593,823 

ZETIA 11/2002 

MSD $225.63 12% $253.34 15% $292.21 15% $336.60 23% $414.33 17% $483.71 16% 114% 7,915,532 1,730,633 

ZOSTAVAX 

06/2006 MSD $1,044.36 11% $1,157.74 -10% $1,045.09 18% $1,234.98 9% $1,343.74 1% $1,363.08 5% 31% 2,291,538 1,344,617