Hospitals and clinics should plan to spend 11% to 13% and 2% to 4% more, respectively, for prescription drugs in 2025 compared to last year, according to new research.
For the second consecutive year, Keytruda was the costliest drug expense for nonfederal hospitals in 2024, according to a study published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
The research analyzed trends in national prescription drug expenditures across multiple sectors, including pharmacies, clinics, nonfederal hospitals, home healthcare and long-term care sites.
Here are the top 25 drugs ranked by nonfederal hospital expenditure in 2024:
1. Pembrolizumab, a cancer drug (Keytruda): $1.47 billion
2. Immune globulin, an anti-infective: $1.04 billion
3. Sugammadex, used to reverse muscle relaxants (Bridion): $756.3 million
4. Daratumumab/hyaluronidase, a multiple myeloma therapy: $707.5 million
5. Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, an HIV-1 drug: $701.7 million
6. Remdesivir, a COVID-19 antiviral (Veklury): $642.7 million
7. Nivolumab, a cancer drug (Opdivo): $555.4 million
8. Inactivated influenza virus vaccine: $529.7 million
9. Antithymocyte immunoglobulin, an immunosuppressant: $522.4 million
10. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: $509 million
11. Sodium intravenous solutions (IV fluids): $507.8 million
12. Denosumab, an osteoporosis therapy: $455.1 million
13. Rituximab, a cancer drug: $452.1 million
14. Alteplase, used to treat acute ischemic stroke and acute myocardial infarction (Activase): $440.8 million
15. Natalizumab, used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis: $431 million
16. Tenecteplase, used to treat acute ischemic stroke and reduce risk of death from ST elevation myocardial infarction (TNKase): $401.1 million
17. Ocrelizumab, a multiple sclerosis drug (Ocrevus): $396.7 million
18. Iohexol, a contrast agent: $384.2 million
19. Albumin, used to treat low blood volume: $361.2 million
20. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine: $341.1 million
21. Factor II/factor IX/factor VII/factor X/protein C/protein S, a warfarin reversal agent: $320.3 million
22. Iopamidol, a contrast agent: $317.1 million
23. Durvalumab, a cancer drug (Imfinzi): $315.4 million
24. Pegfilgrastim, used to stimulate bone marrow after receiving cancer medications: $303.1 million
25. Bupivacaine, a local anesthetic: $291.6 million
