Generic Dispensing Varies by State

Massachusetts has the highest generic-drug dispensing rate at 51%, accordingto an Express Scripts study thatmeasured per capita generic drug use in2003. The study used a random sampleof 3 million pharmacy benefit planmembers aged 18 to 64. New Mexicoand Oregon followed Massachusetts,with a dispensing rate of ~50%. Easternstates, such as New Jersey and New York,and southern states, including Texas,Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi, usedgenerics to fill fewer than 43% of all prescriptions.New Jersey used generics forfewer than 40% of all prescriptions.

As to why there are variations ingeneric fill rates, according to thestudy authors, possible explanationsinclude variations in prescribing patterns,state regulations, differences indisease prevalence, and varying use ofdrug benefit designs that promotegreater use of generics.