In 2024, 34 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 98 drugs reported, at least 16 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losartan [1] | angiotensin receptor antagonists | high blood pressure | 32 | 94% |
| Atorvastatin | statins | high cholesterol | 32 | 94% |
| Levothyroxine | thyroid drugs | hypothyroidism | 31 | 91% |
| Lisinopril | ACE inhibitors | high blood pressure | 31 | 91% |
| Amlodipine | calcium channel blockers | high blood pressure; angina | 30 | 88% |
| Prednisone | corticosteroids | inflammation | 30 | 88% |
| Rosuvastatin [2] | statins | high cholesterol | 29 | 85% |
| Metformin [3] | antidiabetic agents | type 2 diabetes | 28 | 82% |
| Amoxicillin [4] | antibiotics | bacterial infection | 28 | 82% |
| Gabapentin | anticonvulsants | seizures; shingles pain; restless leg syndrome | 28 | 82% |
| Albuterol | bronchodilators | bronchospasm; asthma | 28 | 82% |
| Azithromycin | antibiotics | bacterial infection | 27 | 79% |
| Amoxicillin And Clavulanate Potassium | antibiotics; beta-lactamase inhibitors | bacterial infection | 26 | 76% |
| Escitalopram | SSRIs | depression | 25 | 74% |
| Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine [5] | stimulants | ADHD; narcolepsy | 24 | 71% |
| Montelukast | leukotriene modifiers | asthma | 24 | 71% |
| Sertraline | SSRIs | depression; panic; anxiety; or obsessive-compulsive symptoms | 23 | 68% |
| Pantoprazole | proton pump inhibitors | gastroesophageal reflux disease | 23 | 68% |
| Metoprolol | beta blockers | high blood pressure | 21 | 62% |
| Trazodone | SARIs | depression | 20 | 59% |
| Semaglutide | incretin mimetics | type 2 diabetes | 18 | 53% |
| Bupropion | antidepressants | depression | 18 | 53% |
| Ibuprofen | NSAIDs | mild to moderate pain; fever; and inflammation | 18 | 53% |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | diuretic | high blood pressure; fluid retention | 16 | 47% |
| Omeprazole | proton pump inhibitors | gastroesophageal reflux disease | 16 | 47% |
[1] Losartan appeared twice in two submissions
[2] Rosuvastatin appeared twice in a single submission
[3] Metformin appeared twice in five submissions and three times in another
[4] Amoxicillin appeared twice in a single submission
[5] Amphetamine And Dextroamphetamine appeared twice in a single submission
Premium reductions due to utilization management
The issuers reported savings of $375 million due to specialty drug utilization management, $110 million more 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 |
|---|---|
| -100.0% | 1 |
| -85.0% | 1 |
| -77.0% | 1 |
| -62.2% | 1 |
| -30.5% | 1 |
| -25.0% | 1 |
| -20.0% | 1 |
| -19.0% | 1 |
| -11.5% | 1 |
| -9.0% | 1 |
| -7.6% | 1 |
| -6.1% | 1 |
| -5.3% | 1 |
| 1.9% | 1 |
| 2.4% | 1 |
| 3.5% | 1 |
| 6.0% | 1 |
| 7.0% | 1 |
| 9.8% | 1 |
| 10.1% | 1 |
| 12.0% | 1 |
| 12.4% | 1 |
| 13.6% | 1 |
| 14.0% | 2 |
| 19.2% | 1 |
| 19.8% | 1 |
| 22.3% | 1 |
| 23.6% | 1 |
| 25.7% | 1 |
| 30.0% | 1 |
| 51.0% | 1 |
| 61.0% | 1 |
| 62.5% | 1 |
| 67.0% | 1 |
| Premium change due to prescription drugs | Number reporting this amount |
|---|---|
| -13.0% | 1 |
| -4.6% | 1 |
| -0.5% | 1 |
| -0.2% | 2 |
| 0.0% | 4 |
| 0.1% | 1 |
| 1.8% | 1 |
| 2.0% | 2 |
| 2.4% | 2 |
| 2.6% | 3 |
| 2.7% | 1 |
| 3.0% | 1 |
| 4.0% | 1 |
| 6.0% | 1 |
| 10.8% | 1 |
| 13.6% | 1 |
| 14.6% | 1 |
| 19.3% | 1 |
| 22.0% | 1 |
| 26.0% | 1 |
| 31.6% | 1 |
| 39.3% | 1 |
| 42.0% | 1 |
| 43.0% | 1 |
| 48.7% | 1 |
| 80.8% | 1 |
| 144.0% | 1 |
| Specialty drugs under use management | Number reporting this amount |
|---|---|
| 0.0% | 3 |
| 2.9% | 1 |
| 14.0% | 1 |
| 23.4% | 2 |
| 38.5% | 1 |
| 48.0% | 1 |
| 50.6% | 1 |
| 56.5% | 1 |
| 56.6% | 1 |
| 60.8% | 4 |
| 65.0% | 1 |
| 68.0% | 1 |
| 69.0% | 1 |
| 71.0% | 1 |
| 79.0% | 1 |
| 83.0% | 1 |
| 85.0% | 2 |
| 86.7% | 1 |
| 87.0% | 1 |
| 88.0% | 1 |
| 89.0% | 4 |
| 96.0% | 1 |
| 100.0% | 3 |