There is immense excess cost associated with using brand-name drugs when equally efficacious generics are available. For unclear reasons, a large proportion of physicians are reluctant to opt for the more cost-effective choices, especially if patients request brand-name drugs. Campbell et al find that social factors appear to influence medication decisions. Such situations call for systems-level interventions to overcome the irrational cultural practices. In this case, large, closed health systems with pharmacy benefits and managed formularies use pharmacy-level decision making on drugs, once the physician has made the decision on the appropriateness of the medication. These systems also allow for physician override when appropriate. Such systems-level interventions have immense potential to increase value in prescription medication use.