Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable - Tough Choices: AARP Member Surveys

The cost of prescription drugs is a major concern for AARP members across the United States, almost all of whom report purchasing at least one such medication in the past 12 months. These surveys of AARP members in several states assess their concerns about and experiences with prescription drug affordability, particularly out-of-pocket costs and any financial hardships associated with paying.

Members’ opinions about proposals that, if adopted, could lower prescription drug prices and consumers’ costs across each state are examined. Included among such proposals are creating bulk purchasing pools to negotiate prices with drug companies, establishing centralized sources of information, publicizing prices, and providing consumers with information comparing the safety and effectiveness of specific drugs.

The telephone surveys were conducted for AARP by Woelfel Research, Inc. during December 2006. Further information about the surveys may be obtained by contacting Joanne Binette of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6303.