The impact of a systematic generic substitution and of the new drug pricing system (implemented in 2002 for cost saving reasons) on prescription cost was computed on the basis of prescriptions delivered in January 1999 for patients leaving our university hospital. A total of 3,099 prescriptions, representing 5,514 drugs, were delivered in one month, of which 335 (6%) were excluded (drug not available in 2002 or magistral preparations). Forced generic prescription would have saved 3,8% of global costs, while the new drug pricing system would have increased costs between 1,1% and 8,0%. In this specific setting, savings linked with forced generic drug prescription was weak (4 to 5%), and the expected savings of the new drug pricing system were not observed.