5 September 2018 - U.S. drug prices fell again in the second quarter, likely due to a new tactic insurers are using to limit financial assistance drugmakers provide directly to consumers.

Real U.S. drug prices, including discounts and rebates drugmakers provide to insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, fell 5.8% in the quarter, compared with a 0.7% increase a year earlier, SSR analyst Richard Evans said in a research note on Tuesday. That is in line with how far prices fell in the first quarter, he said.

Lower “real” drug prices means drug makers are receiving less revenue on sales, but does not necessarily translate into savings for patients as employers and payers are more likely to reap the benefit.

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