Voices’ top five posts about prescription drug costs in 2017
When we asked about prescription drug costs, 93 percent of you said they are too high. Here’s a look at the most popular Voices Facebook posts on high drug costs based on your clicks, likes and shares.
1. Big Pharma justifies high drug prices, fails
The pharmaceutical industry recently launched a major advertising campaign in response to proposed legislation for controlling pharmaceutical drug prices in Congress. It tried to argue that prescription drugs are a fraction of health care costs, drug spending is slowing and low-cost generics make up the majority of drugs dispensed. Pharma was wrong.
2. Your elderly loved ones need help to avoid costly and unnecessary prescriptions
A CNN report found that pharmaceutical manufacturer Avanir’s drug Nuedexta was aggressively marketed to nursing home residents even though it may be unnecessary and unsafe for this population. Without someone to ask questions about prescriptions, seniors are at risk.
3. Drugs in the U.S. are too expensive, and Canada isn’t an option
The FDA finds that those looking for cheaper prescription alternatives from Canada should think again. Many “Canadian” drugs are not from Canada, many “Canadian” pharmacies are run by overseas criminal enterprises, and drugs that consumers receive might be different from those they ordered. This means U.S. residents can only buy high-cost drugs in America, and pharmaceutical companies know you don’t have a choice.
4. Are seniors spending more for prescription drugs?
Yes! In 2015, one in 10 seniors spent at least $5,200 out-of-pocket on their prescription drugs, and the number of seniors with these high costs has gone up every year since 2010.
5. Big Pharma makes you waste drugs to run out faster
Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced legislation aimed at creating solutions to stop drug waste. One example is oversized eyedrops designed to waste medicine so you run out faster.