Table 1.
Unit Cost paid by Medicare of conventional DMARD used for RA between 2012–17.
| Drug Name | 2012 (Actual Cost) | 2017 (Actual Cost) | 2017 (2012 cost in 2017 dollars) | Percentage Increase in Adjusted costs from 2012 to 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leflunomide | ||||
| - Generic | $1.68 | $4.31 | $1.92 | 124% |
| - Branded | $22.49 | $38.49 | $25.65 | 50% |
| Methotrexate | ||||
| - Generic (oral) | $0.64 | $1.89 | $0.73 | 159% |
| - Branded (oral)* | $9.60 | $10.01 | $10.95 | -9% |
| - Branded (injectable)⁎⁎ | $334.90 | $375.90 | $381.91 | -2% |
| Hydroxychloroquine | ||||
| - Generic | $0.29 | $1.84 | $0.33 | 458% |
| - Branded | $4.18 | $8.40 | $4.77 | 76% |
| Sulfasalazine | $0.16 | $0.19 | $0.18 | 6% |
⁎
indicates drugs that ceased to be covered in 2016;
⁎⁎
indicates drugs that were approved in 2014