Famotidine is used to inhibit histamine in the releases of gastric acid. Ibuprofen is used to reduce pain and inflammation. The recommended dosage is three tablets per day. Both of these drugs are well past patent protection and are readily available as generic entities with multiple manufacturers.
Taking the highest web price per tablet for these generic equivalents we rebuilt the Duexis alternative to display this estimated difference in cost:
Granted taking just 3 pills of Duexis is more desirable than 15 pills a day. However, is that convenience worth a price increase of $1453.30 in cost to the plan?
Are there other alternatives to an ibuprofen/famotidine combination? Yes and they should be reviewed before a new expensive combination drug is even considered. This simple answer should lead plan administrators to investigate whether they have a monitoring tool in place to catch outrageous pricing schemes from a manufacturing industry with no interest in saving the plan money.
There is an excellent chance Duexis will appear on a PBM’s formulary with rebate dollars attached. You’ll want to know your plan design options.
We invite you to talk to your APC expert for PBM alternatives that will place you in charge of your pharmacy dollar. Be in charge of your plan on a prospective basis before enormous costs are observed only as an uncomfortable historical lesson.
