We tracked drug searches in the RxSS member portal in 20241 to see what kind of insights emerged. The immediate takeaway: Millions of members covered by employers and health plans are increasingly seeking resources to make informed decisions about their prescription drugs.
Anytime an RxSS member logs in to the desktop portal or mobile app, they see a personalized view of any savings opportunities available on current prescriptions. They can also search up virtually any drug under the sun to determine insurance coverage, out-of-pocket cost, as well as available clinical alternatives.
Trending searches across this wide cross section of plan types and populations often reflect what’s happening in the industry and the impact on consumers. By aggregating the top searched drugs and disease-state classifications in 2024, we can get a pulse of consumer behavior and how it aligns with broader pharmacy trends.
The Top 3 by Drug Class/Disease State:
1.) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
ADHD drugs accounted for 22% of total search volume.2 Leading the way were searches for generic Adderall® (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts) and Vyvanse® (lisdexamfetamine). Both were removed from the FDA Shortage Database late in 2024, though ongoing shortages persist for these and other generics in the class. It was the first full year generic Vyvanse was available.
Clearly, many patients (and parents) continued scrambling to find more accessible and affordable options, whether due to shortages or shifts in coverage or cost in their pharmacy benefit.
2.) GLP-1s:
Type 2 diabetes and weight-loss medications such as Ozempic®, Zepbound®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® accounted for the most unique search counts and collectively were 20% of total searched drugs3. The search volume mirrored 2023 when GLP-1s began to surge in interest and utilization. However, it may also indicate that more plans provided coverage for weight loss than in the previous year but perhaps with only one product on formulary.
Members are increasingly looking for low-cost alternatives for these medications, reflecting a growing awareness of their benefits and desire to manage costs effectively.
3.) Cardiovascular:
According to the CDC, heart disease is still the number one cause of death and disability in the United States4. Portal searches for treatments of these conditions made up ~11% of total search volume. Lisinopril, the most prescribed generic cardiac medication, was the top the search getter.5
Despite the abundance of generic medications available to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol, members may be looking for alternatives that bring even nominal out-of-pocket savings as food prices and other inflationary pressures further squeeze household budgets.
These insights highlight the proactive approach our members take to manage their health and the financial implications of their prescription drug needs. Understanding these trends can help us better support members and stay ahead of ongoing industry developments.
Disclaimer: Product and brand names are trademarks of their respective holders. Inclusion in this material does not imply affiliation or endorsement.
1,2,3,5 RxSS internal data; portal searches, January-December 2024.
4 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Chronic Disease Indicators, June 2024
Want more insights on key drug trends in 2025? Our panel of frontline RxSS Roundtable experts weighs in on key issues for payers and patients. Click below to listen to the full webinar.
