Among the highlights of the report:

Clinic drug spending rose by 14.4% to $158.2 billion, while nonfederal hospitals saw a more modest 4.9% increase to $39 billion. With GLP-1 shortage issue largely resolved, continued growth in this category is expected, although direct-to-consumer channels may complicate efforts to track usage trends.
Overall U.S. drug spending is projected to increase by between 9% and 11% in 2025, with clinic expenditures rising from 11% to 13% and hospital spending growing between 2% and 4%.
Oncology spending continues to grow at a double-digit pace, driven by the introduction of new high-cost drugs and broader application of existing therapies.
Vaccine expenditures have declined post-pandemic, even with new vaccine products on the market. This trend may continue because of growing antivaccine sentiment.
New generics and biosimilars may help moderate overall spending growth by providing lower-cost alternatives as key patents -- including for Entresto, a widely used heart failure drug – expire.

"As medication spending continues to shape the financial and operational realities of health care, this report, along with the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy’s quarterly medication pipeline updates, offers pharmacy and health-system leaders the insights they need for effective planning," said Daniel J. Cobaugh, PharmD, senior vice president of professional development and publishing at ASHP. "It brings clarity to complex trends and supports informed, forward-looking decision making."

Instant Insights /

GLP-1 medications fuel $806B U.S. prescription drug spending spree

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