California recently became the first state to release data on wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) increases for prescription drugs.
This year, the state implemented a requirement that drug manufacturers report WAC increases when they exceed 16 percent over two years. Manufacturers also must report the reason for the increases, if publicly available.
For the first quarter of 2019, the three-year median increase for manufacturers that submitted was 25.8 percent. Generic drugs increased the most, with a median increase of 37.6 percent, and a cost increase of 156.4 percent for those under $100. Fewer than one-third of manufacturers submitting data provided reasons for the price increases.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
