Among topical dermatologic drugs, the mean overpayment for brand-name drugs was more than double that of generics, based on an analysis of claims data of privately insured individuals published in JAMA Dermatology.

“In recent months, state and federal policies have been enacted to ban gag clauses on pharmacists and in commercial insurance contracts,” Joslyn Kirby, MD, MS, MEd, of the department of dermatology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and colleagues wrote. “Gag clauses prevented pharmacists from proactively informing patients if it is more cost-effective to purchase their prescription out of pocket.”