Generic drugs save Wash. taxpayers' money

By Associated Press

Summary

A state program encouraging use of generic prescription drugs is saving taxpayers money. State health officials say 87 percent of Medicaid prescriptions filled in 2008 were from the preferred generic drug list.

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Story Published: Jun 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM PST

Story Updated: Jun 21, 2009 at 11:59 AM PST

Generic drugs save Wash. taxpayers' money
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A state program encouraging use of generic prescription drugs is saving taxpayers money.

State health officials say 87 percent of Medicaid prescriptions filled in 2008 were from the preferred generic drug list.

John Bowden briefed a legislative committee this past week on the generic drug program. He says it's hard to say exactly how much money was saved, but the program definitely reduces costs.

Credit goes, in part, to the fact that generic drugs are going down in price while the average cost of drugs is going up.