Elections
AARP Studies Find Rising Prescription Drug Prices and Rising Voter Concern About Affordability
News Release
September 19, 2006
In a poll and related report released today, AARP found prescription drug affordability continues to challenge Americans as manufacturer prices for nearly 200 of the most commonly used brand name medications for older adults rose, on average, 6.3% in the 12 months ending with June 2006.
According to AARP's latest quarterly Watchdog that monitors drug prices, the average manufacturer price increase for brand name drugs continues to outpace the annual 3.8% rate of general inflation for that same period. On average, manufacturers of 75 generic drugs widely used by people age 50+ increased prices by a relatively low 0.4%.
Leading the pack of medications with the highest year-to-date changes were Aventis' Ambien 5 mg (13.3 %), Boehringer Ingelheim's Combivent 120-20 mcg/act (12%) and Atrovent Inhaler 18 mcg/act (12%), Aventis’ Ambien 10 mg (9.9%) and GlaxoSmithKline’s Wellbutrin 150 mg (9.4%).
Aventis led the brand name manufacturers in average 6 month price increases, charging 7.7% more for their medications that were part of the study sample. Those with the lowest price increases, on average, were Monarch and Takeda (0.0%) and Lilly (2.5%).
"Frustration over this issue will lead to action," said AARP Senior Managing Director of Government Relations David Sloane, citing a new AARP election "pulse poll." Voters ages 42 and over, the most likely to cast ballots in November, defined prescription drug affordability as a major concern. The new AARP election "pulse poll" found that this issue rises to the top of domestic issues for November.
"Although millions in Medicare are now saving with the help of their Medicare drug plans, those in the coverage gap are paying on their own and know how expensive their medications have become. In addition, nearly seven million Americans ages 50-64 have no health insurance, are paying full freight, and need relief," explained Sloane.
One way to provide some price relief to consumers of all ages is to make the importation of prescription drugs both safe and legal. AARP strongly supports S. 334, a bill introduced by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Olympia Snowe (R-MA), that would achieve that goal.
In an ad campaign launched in 14 states this week, AARP is calling on those concerned about affordable medications to contact their U.S. Senators urging them to support the Dorgan-Snowe drug importation legislation.
Sloane said, "We have our best opportunity to put a dent in rising prescription drug costs. The Dorgan-Snowe bill that would allow safe and legal importation of medications has widespread bipartisan support."
The complete drug price reports can be accessed at: http://www.aarp.org/research/health/drugs/aresearch-import-869-2004-06--IB69.html
The election survey can be found at: http://www.aarp.org/research/legis-polit/elections/pulse_2006.html
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.