PMSI will be releasing their annual Drug Trends Report at RIMS in a couple weeks; they were kind enough to send a pre-release copy and give me permission to highlight a couple note-worthy items.

The lead story is cost. After moderating significantly in 2007, drug costs were up by over five percent in 2008, driven primarily by increased price. That is, while each injured worker got more drugs in 2008 than they received in 2007, most of the cost increase was driven by higher prices. But not for generics.

AWP, which remains the basis for drug unit pricing, went up over nine percent for brand drugs last year. (Generic inflation was negligible) With brand accounting for almost two-thirds of spend, the effect was rather significant in overall price inflation.

Interestingly, the introduction of new drugs had almost no impact on drug cost inflation in 2007 - but neither did the release of new generics.

There's a lot more detail in the report, which should be available shortly. I'll post a link as soon as it is.