People Spent the Most Money on These 25 Prescription Drugs Last Year


*Introduction:*

The United States spent a total of more than $722 billion on prescription drugs in 2023, a 14% increase from 2022, marking the largest annual rise in the last 20 years ¹. The top 25 most popular prescription drugs by spending in the US are listed below ²:

*Top 25 Prescription Drugs by Spending:*

- *Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy): $38.58 billion*

- *Adalimumab (Humira): $35.33 billion*

- *Apixaban (Eliquis): $22.11 billion*

- *Dulaglutide (Trulicity): $16.28 billion*

- *Empagliflozin (Jardiance): $15.89 billion*

- *Ustekinumab (Stelara): $15.87 billion*

- *Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): $15.40 billion*

- *Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound): $13.16 billion*

- *Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy): $13.15 billion*

- *Dupilumab (Dupixent): $11.49 billion*

- *Risankizumab (Skyrizi): $10.10 billion*

- *Etanercept (Enbrel): $9.55 billion*

- *Insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo, Basaglar): $8.89 billion*

- *Rivaroxaban (Xarelto): $8.26 billion*

- *Dapagliflozin (Farxiga): $7.90 billion*

- *Immune globulin (antibodies to make the immune system stronger): $6.27 billion*

- *Insulin aspart (NovoLog): $5.79 billion*

- *Secukinumab (Cosentyx): $5.72 billion*

- *Sitagliptin (Januvia): $5.72 billion*

- *Fluticasone/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipta): $5.71 billion*

- *Nivolumab (Opdivo): $5.39 billion*

- *Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): $5.36 billion*

- *Insulin lispro (Humalog): $5.32 billion*

- *Ixekizumab (Taltz): $5.31 billion*

- *Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus): $5.30 billion*


*Reasons for the Increase in Spending:*

1. *Utilization*: A 6.5% increase in utilization, driven by expanded indications for approved drugs and increased adoption of new drugs.

2. *New drugs*: A 4.2% increase due to the approval of 55 new drugs in 2023, including costly biologic drugs and gene therapies.

3. *Price increases*: A 2.9% increase in drug prices, contributing to the overall growth in prescription drug spending.


*Conclusion:*

The surge in spending on prescription drugs in 2023 is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased utilization, the introduction of new drugs, and price hikes. The top 25 prescription drugs by spending in the US are dominated by treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to innovate and develop new drugs, it's essential to consider the impact on healthcare costs and accessibility.