Rx Report: Drug Price Hikes Outpacing Inflation
Mary Schuermann Kuhlman, Public News Service – OH
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Prescription drug price hikes have surpassed the
rate of general inflation for more than a decade, according to a report
just released.
The research – from the AARP Public Policy Institute’s “Rx Price Watch Report” series – shows that between 2006 and 2017, prescription medications widely used by older Americans increased in price 4.2%.
That’s double the price increases for other consumer goods and services.
Report co-author Leigh Purvis, director of health services research for
AARP’s Public Policy Institute, attributes the findings primarily to
increases for brand name and specialty drugs, which she says more than
offset price decreases among generic drugs.
“There’s really nothing in the U.S. health care system to stop drug
manufacturers from setting very high prescription drug prices and then,
increasing them pretty much any time they want,” she states. “And
unfortunately, what we’re seeing is the repercussions of that, where we
have these incredibly high priced products that also are increasing in
price every year that they’re on the market.”
The report found in 2017, the average annual cost of one widely used drug was roughly $20,000.
Purvis says that cost would have been about $12,000 lower if price
changes had been limited to the inflation rate between 2006 and 2017.
The research predicts if these trends continue, people could struggle to
access and pay for medications they need, which would in turn lead to
poor health outcomes and higher health care costs.
Purvis adds it’s an issue that affects everyone – even those who don’t take prescription medications.
“So, you’re either paying for them as a patient at the pharmacy counter,
or you’re paying for them through your health insurance, because
they’re built into your premiums and your cost-sharing,” she points out.
“And you’re also paying for them as a taxpayer. Public programs pay for
prescription drugs, and these high prices are being paid for with your
taxes.”
The average cost of one commonly prescribed drug in 2017 was about 20%
higher than the average annual Social Security retirement income and
almost one-third of the median U.S. household income.Disclosure:
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