Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Rx Watchdog Report: Trends in Prices of Prescription Drugs Used by Medicare Beneficiaries
Research Report
David J. Gross, AARP Outreach & Service
Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota
Leigh Purvis, AARP Public Policy Institute
May 2008
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- Current reports
- 2004-2006 reports
Related links
AARP.org: Rx Watchdog Report NewsletterThese AARP Public Policy Institute reports present the most recent results of studies of changes in manufacturers' prescription drug list prices (i.e., the prices set by drug manufacturers to charge wholesalers and other direct purchasers for drug products) for prescription drugs. These reports are based on drugs widely used by Medicare beneficiaries; previous reports were based on utilization patterns for older Americans in general.
Specifically, the reports compare price changes with the rate of inflation. They also present differences in average price changes by manufacturer and by major therapeutic category. The sample of drugs studied was identified using 2006 data from a Medicare Part D plan provider, and changes in prices charged by drug manufacturers to wholesalers were measured using changes in the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC).
For more information, please contact David Gross at 202/434-3209. (49 pages)
Brand Name Prescription Drugs
- 2007 Year-End Update (Publication ID: 2008-05), March 2008 (PDF, 49 pages)
Generic Prescription Drugs
- 2007 Year-End Update (Publication ID: 2008-08), May 2008 (PDF, 38 pages)