In 2023, 38 health benefit plan (HBPs) issuers reported the 25 most frequently prescribed drugs and some aspects of their prescription drug spending. TDI collected the data under Texas Insurance Code 1369.502 and 1369.503. TDI reports only what the HBPs supplied and doesn’t audit it.
25 Most frequently prescribed drugs
The table below shows how many issuers reported each drug. Of 108 drugs reported, at least ten responding issuers prescribed these 25 drugs.
We removed duplicates and combined data for drugs that were reported separately by brand and generic names, different dosages, and standard and extended-release versions.
| Drug name | Drug class | Conditions treated | Total issuers | Percent of total issuers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amlodipine | calcium channel blocker | high blood pressure, angina | 35 | 92% |
| Lisinopril | ACE inhibitor | high blood pressure | 35 | 92% |
| Atorvastatin | statin | high cholesterol | 34 | 89% |
| Metformin | non-sulfonylurea | type 2 diabetes | 33 | 87% |
| Levothyroxine | thyroid drug | hypothyroidism | 33 | 87% |
| Montelukast | leukotriene modifier | asthma | 32 | 84% |
| Prednisone | corticosteroid | inflammatory conditions | 32 | 84% |
| Rosuvastatin | statin | high cholesterol | 32 | 84% |
| Losartan | angiotensin receptor antagonist | high blood pressure | 31 | 82% |
| Gabapentin | anticonvulsant | seizures, shingles pain, restless leg syndrome | 31 | 82% |
| Amoxicillin | antibiotic | bacterial infection | 29 | 76% |
| Albuterol | bronchodilator | bronchospasm; asthma | 29 | 76% |
| Azithromycin | antibiotic | bacterial infection | 28 | 74% |
| Escitalopram | SSRI | depression | 28 | 74% |
| Metoprolol | beta-blocker | high blood pressure | 27 | 71% |
| Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium | antibiotic; beta-lactamase inhibitor | bacterial infection | 24 | 63% |
| Pantoprazole | proton pump inhibitor | gastroesophageal reflux disease | 24 | 63% |
| Sertraline | SSRI | depression; panic; anxiety; or obsessive-compulsive symptoms | 23 | 61% |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | diuretic | high blood pressure; fluid retention | 23 | 61% |
| Trazodone | SARI | depression | 23 | 61% |
| Bupropion | antidepressant | depression | 23 | 61% |
| Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine | stimulant | ADHD; narcolepsy | 20 | 53% |
| Ibuprofen | NSAID | mild to moderate pain; fever; and inflammation | 20 | 53% |
| Omeprazole | proton pump inhibitor | type 2 diabetes | 18 | 47% |
| Meloxicam | NSAID | moderate to severe pain | 18 | 47% |
Premium reductions due to utilization management
The issuers reported savings of $273 million due to specialty drug utilization management, $67.7 million less than the previous year.
Drug spending data
These tables show HBPs responses on prescription drug spending. In each case, “Number reporting this amount” is how many respondents reported changes in the ranges indicated.
| Net spending change on prescription drugs | Number reporting this amount |
|---|---|
| -29.1% | 1 |
| -28.0% | 1 |
| -24.8% | 1 |
| -24.0% | 1 |
| -23.4% | 1 |
| -21.0% | 1 |
| -20.0% | 1 |
| -16.9% | 1 |
| -12.9% | 1 |
| -9.2% | 1 |
| -8.9% | 1 |
| -7.9% | 1 |
| -0.4% | 1 |
| 0.0% | 4 |
| 3.3% | 1 |
| 4.4% | 1 |
| 6.0% | 1 |
| 9.1% | 1 |
| 10.1% | 1 |
| 11.2% | 1 |
| 14.0% | 1 |
| 16.2% | 1 |
| 17.6% | 1 |
| 18.9% | 1 |
| 19.2% | 1 |
| 25.1% | 1 |
| 33.5% | 1 |
| 49.6% | 1 |
| 49.8% | 1 |
| 52.0% | 1 |
| 64.8% | 1 |
| 159.1% | 1 |
| 253.2% | 1 |
| 374.0% | 1 |
| 969.0% | 1 |
| Premium change due to prescription drugs | Number reporting this amount |
|---|---|
| -4.5% | 1 |
| 0.0% | 9 |
| 0.4% | 1 |
| 0.6% | 1 |
| 0.7% | 1 |
| 0.9% | 1 |
| 1.3% | 1 |
| 1.4% | 1 |
| 1.5% | 2 |
| 2.6% | 2 |
| 3.0% | 2 |
| 3.1% | 1 |
| 3.5% | 2 |
| 7.3% | 1 |
| 7.7% | 1 |
| 12.0% | 1 |
| 16.0% | 1 |
| 17.3% | 1 |
| 27.0% | 1 |
| 46.5% | 1 |
| 54.9% | 1 |
| 63.0% | 1 |
| 67.0% | 1 |
| 74.6% | 1 |
| 79.0% | 1 |
| 102.9% | 1 |
| Specialty drugs under use management | Number reporting this amount |
|---|---|
| 0.0% | 5 |
| 18.0% | 1 |
| 23.6% | 2 |
| 45.3% | 1 |
| 56.0% | 2 |
| 61.5% | 1 |
| 62.4% | 4 |
| 64.9% | 1 |
| 70.0% | 1 |
| 79.0% | 2 |
| 83.0% | 6 |
| 85.0% | 1 |
| 85.8% | 1 |
| 87.0% | 1 |
| 90.5% | 1 |
| 92.6% | 1 |
| 93.4% | 1 |
| 100.0% | 6 |