Healthcare costs in the United States (2026)
Medicare, the US federal health insurance programme mainly for people aged 65 and over (and some younger people with disabilities or kidney failure), publishes national average payment amounts for outpatient procedures. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also publishes the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), the average price pharmacies pay for medicines.
Medicine prices in the United States
Every medicine on the official list, with the NADAC pharmacy acquisition cost. How medicine prices work in the United States.
Most-listed medicines
- Methylphenidate38 productsfrom $0.080
- Estradiol25 productsfrom $0.062
- Lidocaine22 productsfrom $0.054
- Diltiazem21 productsfrom $0.051
- Doxycycline18 productsfrom $0.10
- Lamotrigine17 productsfrom $0.027
- Topiramate17 productsfrom $0.027
- Dexamethasone16 productsfrom $0.071
- Risperidone16 productsfrom $0.038
- Alprazolam15 productsfrom $0.023
- Diclofenac15 productsfrom $0.063
- Hydrocortisone15 productsfrom $0.092
Cheapest and most expensive medicines in the United States
| Cheapest | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Amlodipine | 10 mg tablet | $0.014 |
| Cyclobenzaprine | 10 mg tablet | $0.017 |
| Lisinopril | 10 mg tablet | $0.018 |
| Clonazepam | 0.5 mg tablet | $0.020 |
| Folic Acid | 1 mg tablet | $0.020 |
| Carvedilol | 12.5 mg tablet | $0.021 |
| Gabapentin | 100 mg capsule | $0.022 |
| Alprazolam | 0.25 mg tablet | $0.023 |
| Most expensive | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Pyrimethamine | 25 mg tablet | $137 |
| Aprepitant | 125 mg capsule | $112 |
| Emtricitabine and Rilpivirine and Tenofovir | 200-25-300 MG tablet | $88.79 |
| Fidaxomicin | 200 mg tablet | $88.17 |
| Nitazoxanide | 500 mg tablet | $80.01 |
| Praziquantel | 600 mg tablet | $53.15 |
| Avanafil | 200 mg tablet | $50.00 |
| Eltrombopag | 50 mg tablet | $25.85 |
Treatment costs in the United States
| Treatment | Price range (local) | Range in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement | $10,552 – $14,275 | $10,552 – $14,275 |
| Hip Replacement | $10,776 – $14,278 | $10,776 – $14,278 |
| Cataract Surgery | $1,717 – $2,819 | $1,717 – $2,819 |
| Coronary Angioplasty | $7,771 – $12,257 | $7,771 – $12,257 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) | $3,661 – $6,807 | $3,661 – $6,807 |
Medicine prices in the United States
| Medicine | Strength | Per unit | 30 units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin | 500 mg tablet | $0.015 | $0.44 |
| Amlodipine | 5 mg tablet | $0.010 | $0.30 |
| Atorvastatin | 10 mg tablet | $0.023 | $0.69 |
| Rosuvastatin | 10 mg tablet | $0.036 | $1.07 |
| Losartan | 50 mg tablet | $0.033 | $0.99 |
| Telmisartan | 40 mg tablet | $0.15 | $4.59 |
| Clopidogrel | 75 mg tablet | $0.047 | $1.41 |
| Levothyroxine | 50 mcg tablet | $0.040 | $1.20 |
| Pantoprazole | 40 mg gastro-resistant tablet | $0.037 | $1.10 |
| Omeprazole | 20 mg gastro-resistant capsule | $0.030 | $0.91 |
| Glimepiride | 2 mg tablet | $0.037 | $1.12 |
| Sitagliptin | 100 mg tablet | $3.85 | $115 |
| Metoprolol | 50 mg extended-release tablet | $0.049 | $1.48 |
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error