Drug coupons keep drug prices high

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Reporter Charles Ornstein made an eye-opening discovery when his wife went to fill a prescription to treat their son’s ear infection. The cost: $135.

Shocked at the amount, Ornstein’s wife pulled out her cell phone and searched online for a coupon for the brand name drug. She found one, cutting the price by more than half to $60.

Most parents would count their blessings and go on with their busy lives. But Ornstein, an investigative reporter, looked deeper into the motive behind these coupons and whether they’re a good deal in the long run.

He discovered that the coupons are a “clever marketing tactic” that keeps drug prices high. One of the ways they do that is discourage consumers from choosing lower-priced generics instead.

Read more here. Then join Voices for Affordable Health by sharing your opinion and/or pharmaceutical drug story.

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