SSM Health, a hospital group with several locations in Missouri, is one of 4 health systems that are joining forces to create a non-profit generic drug company to create medications to allow for more accessible pharmaceuticals for patients.
Modern Healthcare is reporting SSM, along with Intermountain, Ascension and Trinity Health are working with the U. S. Veterans Affairs Department of form the initiative to manufacture essential generic drugs directly or via subcontracts.
According to the Government Accountability Office, pharmaceutical companies profit margins have increased by more than 17 percent between 2006 and 2015. Additionally, drug spending is expected to increase by 8 percent this year, due to the use of expensive brand name drugs.