July 2002 -- If you want to find out the inside story on what drugs really do -- and should -- cost, check out the web site of the Blue Cross Bue Shield of Michigan. They have taken their top 25 most commonly prescribed medications, and listed the brand name prices, versus the generic prices.

(Note: Their list does not include thyroid drugs, which are usually in the top five of all prescribed/sold drugs. This absence is likely because of the fact that top-selling levothyroxine drug Synthroid has not yet received FDA approval as of July 2002.)

Some examples:

• Pain reliever Darvocet-N 100 pills at 650mg dosage. Brand name is $105.42, generic Propoxyphene/Acetaminophen is $19.08, savings is $86.34.
• Antidepressant Prozac 20mg, brand name $93.38, generic Fluoxetine HCL is $10.50, savings is $82.88.
• Beta-blocker Tenormin 50mg, $35.51, generic Atenolol $1.28, savings $34.23.

• Special report: The cost of drugs
• Generic drugs: The facts
• What we're doing to control drug costs
• Online resources for drug information
• Name brand vs. generic price comparison chart (Print-friendly PDF chart)