Drug Shortages

Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Save $445 Billion in 2023

Industry that Saved $3.1 Trillion Since 2014 at Great Risk Without Immediate Action

WASHINGTON (September 5, 2024) — The Association for Accessible Medicines, the trade association representing generic and biosimilar manufacturers, today released its 2024 U.S. Generic & Biosimilar Medicines Savings Report. AAM’s annual savings report reveals that the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved generic and biosimilar medicines created $445 billion in savings in 2023 for patients, employers, taxpayers, and the healthcare system—over $3 trillion in the last decade.

AAM White Paper on Shortages

Generic medicines are the backbone of the U.S. prescription drug market, supplying more than 9 out of every 10 prescriptions. And the availability of generic medicines overall is remarkably stable – even during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonetheless, drug shortages, which hit crisis proportions between 2010 and 2011, can be a challenge for manufacturers, providers, and patients. Due to aggressive efforts by industry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the incidence of shortages has declined, but recent reports suggest a rise in shortages in 2023.

How Inflation Penalties for Generic Medicines Could Worsen Drug Shortages

Amid rising health care costs, generic drugs stand out for delivering low-cost, affordable and accessible health care options for patients. As a result of robust head-to-head price competition that rapidly drives costs down to a fraction of the brand price, generics today comprise more than 90% of all prescriptions dispensed in the United States but only 18% of prescription drug spending.

AAM Statement on 2019 FDA Drug Shortages Task Force Report

WASHINGTON DC (October 29, 2019) – AAM applauds FDA for recognizing the multi-faceted challenges that can lead to drug shortages. In particular, deteriorating market conditions have led to sustainability issues in the manufacture of certain medicines. AAM and its members commit to working with FDA and policymakers to advocate for policies to ensure a healthy, sustainable market for safe, effective and affordable medicines for patients.

Generic Prescription Drug Shortage Bills

AAM’s core mission is to improve patients’ lives by advancing timely access to affordable, FDA-approved generic and biosimilar medicines. AAM is the nation’s leading trade association for manufacturers and distributors of generic and biosimilar prescription medicines. Our members provide more than 36,000 jobs at nearly 150 facilities, and manufacture more than 61 billion doses of prescription medicine in the US annually.

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Association for Accessible Medicines

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Washington DC 20001

 

202.249.7100
info@accessiblemeds.org

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