According to the data, the eight Medicare Part D drugs with the highest total spending each accounted for more than $2 billion in gross Part D spending last year. The five costliest Medicare Part B drugs in 2015 are the same as in 2014, and combined they totaled more than $7 billion in spending, according to CMS.
Here are the 15 drugs that Medicare spent the most on in 2015.
1. Harvoni (hepatitis C treatment) — $7.03 billion
2. Lantus; Lantus Solostar (diabetes) — $4.36 billion
3. Crestor (high cholesterol) — $2.88 billion
4. Advair Diskus (asthma) — $2.27 billion
5. Spiriva (COPD) — $2.19 billion
6. Januvia (diabetes) — $2.13 billion
7. Revlimid (anemia) — $2.08 billion
8. Nexium (gastroesophageal reflux disease) — $2.01 billion
9. Eylea (age-related macular degeneration) — $1.81 billion
10. Lyrica (nerve and muscle pain) — $1.77 billion
11. Humira; Humira Pen (rheumatoid arthritis) — $1.66 billion
12. Abilify (mental/mood disorders) — $1.57 billion
13. Rituxan (cancer) — $1.56 billion
14. Xarelto (blood clots) — $1.52 billion
15. Enbrel (Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitor) — $1.39 billion
More articles on healthcare finance:
Quorum Health adds 6 more hospitals to sale pipeline
Kindred to close Texas hospital, leaving 92 without jobs
Fitch: ACA repeal would be credit negative for hospitals
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.