* Estimate is statistically different from previous year shown at p<.05.

^ Information was not obtained for four-tier drugs prior to 2004.

Generic drugs: A drug product that is no longer covered by patent protection and thus may be produced and/or distributed by multiple drug companies.

Preferred drugs: Drugs included on a formulary or preferred drug list; for example, a brand name drug without a generic substitute.

Nonpreferred drugs: Drugs not included on a formulary or preferred drug list; for example, a brand name drug with a generic substitute.

Brand name drugs: Generally, a drug product that is covered by a patent and is thus manufactured and sold exclusively by one firm. Cross-licensing occasionally occurs, allowing an additional firm to market the drug. After the patent expires, multiple firms can produce the drug product, but the brand name or trademark remains with the original manufacturer’s product.

Four-tier drugs: New types of cost-sharing arrangements that typically build additional layers of higher copayments or coinsurance for specifically identified types of drugs, such as lifestyle or injectable drugs.

Source: Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.