People are talking: “My Rx is unaffordable”

Our recent blog posts on proposed solutions to skyrocketing prescription drug costs have gotten people talking.

Last week, Voices for Affordable Health explained the “Fair Drug Pricing Act,” which would require drug manufacturers to submit a justification report to the federal government 30 days before they increase prices on prescription drugs by more than 10 percent.

Marcie Lewman posted to our Facebook page: “I started taking Enbrel in 2003,” said Lewman. “It was priced at $1,300.00 for 4 shots. It’s now $4,997.00 a month. Crazy prices.”

A lot of consumers who commented on our story are skeptical that price transparency policies would lead to reduced costs.

“Showing people how you raise the price doesn’t make them feel any better about having to pay it,” said Hoda Tabatabaei. “It’s like stabbing someone and then showing them what knife you used.”

We also heard from a lot of you on our post about two new polls that show a majority of Americans blame drug companies for overall health care cost increases and that an overwhelming majority favor government action to restrain prices.

Cindy Solari shared this on our Facebook page: “I am a dialysis patient and my Rx is unaffordable. One is nothing more than glorified Tums, and it is $800 a bottle. I need on average 3-4 bottles a month.”

Do you have a story about high prescription drug costs? Share it with us.