Medicare advertises generics for $2

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just shared a preliminary list of generic drugs it plans to make available to Medicare beneficiaries for $2 in a pilot program.

The program, which could start as early as 2027, will give people enrolled in a participating Medicare prescription drug plan access to dozens of generic drugs for a flat co-pay of no more than $2 for a month’s supply a medicine.

“The $2 Medicare drug list model will aim to help improve access and affordability of low-cost generic drugs for people with Medicare prescription drug coverage, and we encourage the public to provide feedback on the model” , said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. One press release.

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The pilot program is intended to assess whether access to low cost generics could improve medication adherence, health outcomes, and satisfaction with Medicare drug plans.

The drugs on initial list aims to target common conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure – these include penicillin, metformin and inhalers.

About 95% (or 40 million) of Medicare beneficiaries filled a prescription for a drug on the list, according to CMS.

“The initial version of the $2 Drug List is a starting point for the drug list that would be included in the model,” said Liz Fowler, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Innovation Center. “CMS plans to include many drugs that are used to treat common conditions for people with Medicare, with periodic updates to the drug list once it is finalized.”

CMS added that generic drug launches, changing clinical indications and pricing trends will require updates to the $2 drug list before the program launches and at regular intervals throughout the pilot.