What everyone else said, but also there's something around pharmacists have to fill the prescription as it's written, and cannot substitute generics.
So, if a dr writes "epipen" it needs to be an actual Epipn(TM) that gets handed over.
There's a UI aspect here too. Doctors use software, and if that software presents expensive non-generics first in the drop-down list that's the med that gets selected.
That's not correct. If a brand name is listed, a generic can (and usually is) substituted. They (the pharmacists) only don't if "DAW" (Dispense As Written) is written as well.
Here is a state-by-state guide on how to write a prescription to ensure the brand name drug is not substituted.[1]
This is all not relevant though, as EpiPen is not considered to have a (non-Mylan) generic equivalent available.
So, if a dr writes "epipen" it needs to be an actual Epipn(TM) that gets handed over.
There's a UI aspect here too. Doctors use software, and if that software presents expensive non-generics first in the drop-down list that's the med that gets selected.
https://twitter.com/drmarkporter/status/765569736423927813
https://twitter.com/drmarkporter/status/765570038048911360
> Q for SystmOne GPs: is there a simple way to ensure default drugs offered when prescribing are cheapest versions most commonly prescribed?
> For context: our default omeprazole version (20mg) is currently 5 times price of one 4 down. Easily repeated costly error when busy.