Reduction of anti-inflammatory drug costs with newer aspirin formulations

Anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs account for a large proportion of prescriptions and prescribing costs, particularly for ambulatory patients. Although aspirin is highly effective, 95% of anti-inflammatory/analgesic prescriptions have been for the newer, more expensive alternatives. Recently two newer aspirin formulations were made available on our hospital's formulary. Subsequently aspirin prescribing rose from 5% to 14.5% (P less than 0.0005), and mean pharmacy costs for anti-inflammatory analgesics fell 5.9% over a 7-month period (P less than 0.025). This decline in costs interrupted a historic trend toward increased prescription costs and was accomplished with minimal effort or hospital resources. Increased availability and familiarity with these newer aspirin formulations may substantially reduce costs for the health care system.