Upstate New Yorkers spent nearly $6 billion on prescription drugs in 2007. A billion of that was spent on just ten brand name drugs that according to Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.

With two of those ten drugs becoming available as generics, Excellus is pushing healthcare professionals to try them instead.

A lot of pills look similar, but the savings that can be pocketed by using a generic drug can make a huge difference.

"It's an environment where healthcare is becoming more expensive," said Eric Freiberger of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. "It outranks inflation tremendously, we need to do cost containment."

A recent study by Excellus says $1 billion was spent on ten name brand drugs in 2007.

[CG :cg1-N-1 LOWER THIRD\ \ \Pricey Prescriptions]
[CG :cg1-N-1a SLUG\Pricey Prescriptions]
"00003016 five of the top ten drugs are either available as alternatives which means they do not have a generic equivalent but within the therapeutic category there are options that the physician can consider."

Here are the drugs Upstate New Yorkers are spending the most on:

Excellus says Fosamax and Protonix recently became available in a generic form, and several others have generic alternatives.

Excellus has pushed forth educational initiatives to encourage doctors and patients to think about generic alternatives and equivalents over name brands, some say it's not that simple.

"There are certain medications such as thyroid pills, where generics may be ok, but sometimes people sensitive to thyroid medicine may need a brand name," Dr. Freiberger said.

Freiberger said it is important to educate consumers and healthcare professionals about newly available generic drugs, but to keep in mind that they may not work.

Excellus says $249 million was saved last year by those switching to generics, and hopes to see that number rise this year.