The Best Buy Drugs in that category were generic ibuprofen at an average cost of $24–$30 per month, depending on dosage, and generic aspirin at a cost of $24–$32 a month. By taking these older, generic medicines, patients could save up to $2,160 a year, Consumers Union said.
Patients without drug coverage could consider over-the-counter NSAIDs, but only for periodic–not chronic–use, the report said.
The evidence shows that the COX-2 inhibitors Celebrex (celecoxib) and Bextra (valdexocib) may cause fewer stomach ulcers, but it's not clear yet whether they lower the risk of dangerous ulcers or serious gastrointestinal bleeding, and physicians may be more cautious about prescribing these therapies in the wake of Vioxx's recall, the report said.
With issues such as the worldwide recall of Vioxx popping up periodically, the Consumers Union aims to constantly monitor safety, effectiveness, and pricing changes, Ms. Shearer said.
DERP plans 25 reports in all, and will update its reports every 6 months.
The Best Buy Drugs project is funded partly by grants from the Engelberg Foundation, and from the National Library of Medicine.