AARP Colorado Member Opinion Survey: Prescription Drugs

AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: With drug prices continuing to rise, and the average prescription in 2001 costing $47.99 in Colorado, questions about individuals' experiences with pharmaceuticals was included in the 2002 AARP Colorado Member Opinion Survey from which this report is excerpted.

• Nearly half report having had problems paying for prescriptions during the previous 12 months, and two-thirds worry about their ability to pay for drugs in the next two years.
• Out-of-pocket expenses for nearly half are $50 or more per month. Consequently, almost half have taken some measure to reduce their drug costs, such as ordering drugs via mail or the Internet, taking less of a medication than prescribed, or delaying filling a prescription.
• Most members support a prescription drug program for low-income elderly over age 65, even if it means allocating new or reallocating existing state funds. They would vote for a candidate who supported a prescription drug program.
• Members want more information about the effectiveness and cost of their drugs, and they would support legislation to make such information available to doctors, pharmacists, and consumers.

This mail survey of 1,112 AARP members in Colorado was conducted from May through July 2002. The report was prepared by Rachelle Cummins and Anu Hyvarinen of AARP Knowledge Management; for further information, please, contact Rachelle Cummins at 202-434-6297. (29 pages)