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Prescription Drugs

Financing a Prescription Drug Program in Utah: An AARP Survey

Research Report

May 2003


With Utah considering a state-funded prescription drug assistance program for its citizens of all ages, this telephone survey of age 18+ Utahns was conducted to gauge their concern about being able to afford their medications and the extent of financial burden they feel when paying for them.

Of all Utahns surveyed...

  • 36 percent of all Utahns report being very concerned about their ability to afford their prescription drugs in the near future, and another 27 percent report being somewhat concerned

  • almost half say they would strongly support a state-funded prescription drug program, and 73 percent would enroll in a state prescription drug program if it was based only on their income level, and most would pay a co-payment or premium

Among those Utahns taking prescription drugs on a regular basis...

  • nearly two thirds say that paying for their medications is a major or minor financial problem

  • 31 percent indicate they are for high-blood pressure, and 21 percent each for either depression or allergies

  • 28 percent say they put off getting a prescription filled because they didn't have enough money to pay for it, and another 22 percent say they have decreased the dosage to make the medication last longer

Telephone Interviewing of 1,025 age 18+ Utahns was conducted from March 31 to April 3, 2003 by Woelfel Research, Inc. The report was prepared by Jennifer H. Sauer of AARP Knowledge Management who may be contacted at 202-434-6207 for further information. (32 pages)