New report digs into Medicare's $200 billion in gross drug expenditures

Every year, Medicare releases a treasure trove of data, much of which gets summarized in the annual Medicare Trustees Report. While it's not as granular as these data nerds would like, there are some highly valuable drug pricing stats in the report.

Notably, the report shows that we have nearly hit the $200 billion mark for gross drug expenditures in Medicare Part D. That's a lot of cash.

Today, in our newly-released research, we dig into the details of the Trustees Report in an effort to get a better idea of where the dollars are going.

Join us as we examine Medicare Part D spending trends over time, the magnetic pull of specialty drug expenditures, the growth of direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), the top 10 heaviest hitting drugs, and much more.

In addition to taking a magnifying glass to Medicare Part D's (somewhat) itemized receipt, we explore how the costs paid for medications reflect the list prices of those same drugs, and assess the accuracy of claims that "pharmaceutical companies alone set and raise drug prices."

We hope you like charts.

Thanks to all those who joined us at the American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc (APCI) Annual Convention in Memphis a couple weeks ago. Stay tuned for other live events this spring and summer.