Crippling drug prices have quickly become one of the hottest topics in health care. Consumers, patients, state budgets and public programs are feeling the burden, and reports show that we’re just getting started.
“Today the president took an important step in his FY 2017 Budget to support transparency in the market and provide new information to consumers. CSRxP welcomes this step and encourages Congress and the Administration to take action to make prescription drugs affordable for all Americans.”
Daraprim’s price hike was outrageous. But prices on prescriptions that are more widely used also continue to climb. Since the beginning of January, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has raised prices on more than 100 of its prescription drugs, according to Reuters. Some of those drugs, like medicines used to help treat symptoms of menopause or combat seizures, went up by more than 20 percent. What’s more, Pfizer did not reduce the price of any prescriptions.
“Prescription drug cost hikes are not limited to companies run by people like Martin Shkreli; they are commonplace in the pharmaceutical industry. This issue transcends political party lines because consumers, patients, and public programs across the country simply cannot afford higher prices for medication.”
Prescription drug prices are rising at an alarming pace and the problem is far more widespread than a few bad actors.
In just the past year, prices have been jacked up on hundreds of medications. The dirty secret is that Big Pharma’s price increases far exceed Daraprim’s. They contribute to BILLIONS in Medicare spending and are used by MILLIONS of Medicare beneficiaries. Below we will take a look at just 30 of those medications.
“ASHP joins the Campaign at an important time and adds a crucial voice to our effort. Pharmacists are on the frontlines of the fight to make prescription drugs affordable,” noted John Rother, executive director of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. “We are thrilled to have ASHP join this effort as we seek to find market-based solutions that can reduce drug prices for consumers, providers, and the U.S health care system.”
“I am encouraged to see Eli Lilly and Anthem begin a dialogue around increasing prescription drug prices. Their collaboration illustrates the widespread effort needed to find a sustainable, market-based solution, but it is just one step on a long road.”
Skyrocketing drug prices have been a hot issue on the presidential campaign trail. Candidates on both sides of the aisle are talking about the harmful impact these price tags have on Americans, and voters nationwide have been helping drive the conversation.
“Again and again, drug companies like Pfizer raise prices of prescriptions that have already been on the market for years which hurts patients trying to make ends meet and public programs dealing with difficult budgets. These increases, compounded year after year, are simply unsustainable. It’s not about innovation or research; it’s price gouging.”