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Rx Price Comparison

How does your state measure up in a nationwide comparison of average retail prescription prices?

As you can see, the average price for a prescription in New Jersey and in New York is among the highest in the U.S. This is due, in part, to the low generic drug utilization in these states. Generic drugs are low cost, equivalent alternatives to brand medications. Generic drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and show the same safety and efficacy as brand name drugs. Using generic drugs is an easy way for you to take an active role in helping control the rising cost of healthcare.

Average Price of Retail Prescriptions Filled, 2003



 Rank   
  Average Price of Retail Rx Drugs 
Rank  
Average Price of Retail Rx Drugs
  United States   $52.97 
Alaska   $66.89 
District of Columbia   $66.81 
Maryland   $64.96 
New York   $63.34 
New Jersey   $62.20 
Maine   $59.40 
Delaware   $58.96 
Michigan   $55.84 
Alabama   $55.42 
10  Washington   $54.90 
11  Minnesota   $54.62 
12  Pennsylvania   $54.52 
13  Florida   $54.33 
14  Connecticut   $54.12 
15  Idaho   $53.97 
16  Vermont   $53.28 
17  Virginia   $53.26 
18  North Carolina   $53.18 
19  New Hampshire   $53.10 
20  Hawaii   $52.31 
21  North Dakota   $52.18 
22  California   $51.94 
23  Massachusetts   $51.84 
23  West Virginia   $51.84 
25  Louisiana   $51.81 
26  Texas   $51.80 
27  Utah   $51.64 
28  Nevada   $51.56 
29  Colorado   $51.51 
30  Georgia   $51.35 
31  Ohio   $51.29 
32  Wyoming   $51.23 
33  South Carolina   $50.83 
34  Mississippi   $50.64 
35  Kansas   $50.02 
36  Oklahoma   $49.98 
37  Montana   $49.85 
38  Arizona   $49.73 
39  Oregon   $49.55 
40  Rhode Island   $49.39 
41  Wisconsin   $49.16 
42  Nebraska   $49.08 
43  Indiana   $48.93 
44  Tennessee   $48.75 
45  Missouri   $48.58 
46  Kentucky   $48.57 
47  Iowa   $48.54 
48  Illinois   $48.11 
49  South Dakota   $47.53 
50  Arkansas   $44.76 
51  New Mexico   $44.71 

The Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts Online, Data Source: Verispan
Scott-Levin, Source? Prescription Audit: Special Data Request, 2003.