IMS: Drug spending growth slows in 2015

The IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics said U.S. drug spending grew 8.5% to $309.5 billion on a net price basis in 2015, according to a report published Thursday. On a conference call, Executive Director Murray Aitken said spending growth has slowed by about 2% on both a net price and invoice price basis compared to 2014, as some drivers of last year's growth -- including spending on new HCV therapies and price increases -- have leveled off.

For the first time, IMS Health evaluated spending and growth based on both net prices, which account for discounts and rebates, and invoice prices. Aitken said net and invoice prices are diverging, and the institute said manufacturers' price concessions rose sharply during 2015. ...