10 high-spend drugs affecting hospitals most

Between 2013 and 2015, inpatient hospital drug costs jumped an average of 38.7 percent per admission, making it difficult for many hospitals to manage their budgets, according to a recent analysis from the independent research organization NORC at the University of Chicago.

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Researchers analyzed the unit prices of drugs classified as “high-spend” medications — based on volume, price or both — and found large price increases in this category.

Here are 10 “high-spend” drugs with the most significant price increases. The figures represent total spending by group purchasing organizations for more than 1,400 hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association.

       Drug: 2013 spending — 2014 spending — 2015 spending

  • Calcitonin-salmon: $4,932,748 — $12,529, 284 — $73,082,412
  • Ephedrine sufate: $7,533,234 — $10,528,689 — $34,552,474
  • Glycopyrrolate: $4,932,748 — $66,606,577 — $73,082,412
  • Hydralazine: $6,951,150 — $7,725,372 — $17,568,936
  • Isoproterenol: $5,602,447 —$23,066,826 — $86,541,461
  • Neostigmine methysulfate: $56,818 — $4,311,153 — $78,814,217
  • Nitroprusside: $9,802,140 —$48,278,606 — $94,966,434
  • Phytonadione: $12,731,141 — $20,809,335 — $35,609,824
  • Pyrimethamine: $595,748 — $801,690 — $812,109
  • Sodium benzoate: $4,857,185 — $3,559,993 — $12,651,343

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