Online tool allowed 1.3 million users to save on prescription drug costs in 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 13, 2010 – DestinationRx Inc., a leading provider of online drug comparison and plan comparison tools, reports that their Drug Compare tool allowed 1.3 million Americans to save an estimated $53 million on prescription drugs in 2009. Drug Compare is a platform that allows consumers to access comparisons of their current drug regimen to lower cost, therapeutic alternative drugs based on public academic and clinical comparative effectiveness research. It is the most comprehensive comparison tool available, facilitating significant savings for prescription drug consumers.

These numbers only account for a fraction of the potential savings that can be gained, according to a survey of consumer activity across the top Drug Compare sites that DestinationRx powers and maintains. In 2009, consumers viewed approximately 4.5 million drug comparison reports via DestinationRx Drug Compare. Only an estimated 12 percent of these views resulted in the user choosing an alternative treatment; had every consumer who viewed a report changed their drug purchasing behavior, the total savings would total approximately $445 million.

It is increasingly important for consumers to find ways to save on prescription drugs as drug prices continue to rise. Last year the price of brand name prescription drugs rose 9.1 percent, the largest increase in the decade, while the price of generic drugs actually decreased. Generic drugs have been proven to be equally as effective as brand name drugs but can cost up to 80 percent less.

“Even with dramatic increase in prescription drug prices, Americans can cut back on prescription drug costs if they are knowledgeable of the effective, low-cost alternatives to brand name drugs,” said Alexander Grunewald, Ph.D., Vice President of DestinationRx, “Our goal is to provide all the information necessary for consumers to make smart healthcare decisions.”

The survey of Drug Compare searches also indicated that consumers are seeking information on so-called “blockbuster” brand name drugs as well as generic equivalents. The top three brand name drugs searched were Lipitor, Nexium, and Lexapro. The top three generic drugs searched were simvastatin (brand name Zocor), omeprazole (brand name Prilosec), and zolpidem tartrate (brand name Ambien).

Tools such as Drug Compare are a valuable resource for information on prescription drug alternatives, providing the first step to drug cost savings. However, in order to effectively reduce prescription drug spending, users must utilize the information provided and change their purchasing behavior in consultation with their physician.

“The potential savings we have seen reported by Drug Compare are enormous,” added Grunewald. “We hope that more users will act on information they find in their searches and choose to purchase the money-saving alternatives.”