HealthPartners saves big with generics

MINNEAPOLIS More than half of the $100 a non-profit health management organization saved came from generic drugs, according to published reports.

HealthPartners, based in Bloomington, Minn., saved $64.4 million by encouraging members to use generics instead of branded drugs. 

According to the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, generic drugs can save consumers 30% to 80% each year, while the Congressional Budget Office statistics indicate that generics save $8 billion to $10 billion a year.