(AARP) Study: Brand Drug Prices Outpace Inflation

[magellan]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prices for brand-name drugs on average rose at 2.5 times the rate of inflation last year, while generic drug prices remained flat, according to a study released on Tuesday by the nation's largest lobby for the elderly.

Manufacturer prices for branded medicines rose 7.1 percent in 2004 compared to 7.0 percent in 2003, an AARP report found. During the same period, the rate in general inflation climbed to from 2.3 percent to 2.7 percent, it said.

snip...

Researchers surveyed prices for 195 prescription medicines used most by Americans aged 50 and older.

Of those drugs, 185 had price increases higher than inflation while nine saw price increases less than inflation.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=8149842

No reason given? Too hard to explain, maybe?

[deacon]

1. thats 's cause right before the prez got through his fake prescription

drug plan, they had the heads up to raise the prices before his signed the bogus legislation.

[deacon]

2. AARP supporting bush on this is also to blame, they helped raise

our prices for drugs.

[CountAllVotes]

3. totally believable

It seems that there are a lot of these cheap generic drugs on the market now, but the quality of them is very poor I find.

If you want to have the real drug as manufactured, it will cost an arm and a leg. Many times I think people don't get these prescriptions filled being they don't have the money nor adequate insurance to pay for them.

So many simply do without or find themselves pill splitting to save money.

In the meantime, we need another $70 billion + for the war without end while the American people do without so many necessities of life.

Truly disgusting and a disgrace.

:kick:

[applegrove]

4. That is what happens when there are monopolies. When corporations

get monopolies it is bad. That is why you need universal health care and the ability of states to band together and negotiate a better price deal.

Monopolies are bad for capitalism. Whatever do you think the 'dark ages' were about? Monopoly power in the hands of elites.

[Virginian]

5. As a reference point,

Back in the 1970's I once paid $1.95 for a month's supply of birth control pills. I got a deal that month, I was on vacation in Florida. They were usually between $2.50 and $3.00 a month. That was before a prescription drug plan was part of our health care benefits. How much are they now?

Is there a possibility that the prices have gone up so much because people are just handing over their insurance card and not noticing the real prices? All consumers should be aware of the price without insurance. There might be more of an uproar.

[DemBeans]

6. Be sure to thank your representatives for this

This story exposes the corruption of corporate money and lobbyists in American politics. Big pharma has bought and owned most of our "representatives of the people".

[RedEarth]

7. Drug prices outstrip inflation

Wholesale prices for popular brand-name prescription drugs rose an average 7.1% in 2004, more than twice the general inflation rate, a new study commissioned by the nation's largest seniors lobby says.

The increase is the biggest in the five years that AARP, with 35 million members, has sponsored the study. It's just slightly higher than the 7% price rise in 2003. The group, which has pushed for lower drug prices, is set to release its report today.


The findings come from an examination of prices charged by manufacturers on 195 brand-name prescription drugs widely used by Americans 50 and older. The study's authors said such increases are routinely passed on to consumers in retail prices.


Bill Novelli, the group's CEO, called the increases disappointing, particularly in the year after President Bush signed a sweeping overhaul of Medicare. The new law will provide seniors with a prescription-drug benefit next year. But it prohibits the government from negotiating drug prices on behalf of consumers.


Manufacturers "have failed to keep their price increases in line with inflation, despite consumer appeals for them to hold the line," Novelli said. "Much more needs to be done to slow down spiraling drug pricing."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=676&ncid=676&e=4&u=/usatoday/20050412/ts_usatoday/drugpricesoutstripinflation

[redqueen]

8. Is anyone really surprised?

Democrats TOLD YOU it was a giveaway... don't listen? Pay the price, then, morans.

I only hate that Democrats who know and disapprove of fealty to these fatcats will suffer as well. At least they're not ignorant, though.

[KittyWampus]

9. The Price Of My Chinese Herbs Prescribed By An Acupuncturist Remain

steady, no side effects, work very well.

People really need to seek a wider range of health care options.

Edit: I am totally aware that some people may NEED synthetic drugs. Not trying to suggset otherwise or excuse the Pharmaceuticals for raping Americans.

[UpInArms]

10. AARP: Drug Costs Make Largest 5-Year Jump

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=662817

WASHINGTON Apr 12, 2005 — Wholesale prices for name-brand drugs jumped an average 7.1 percent in 2004 the largest hike in five years and more than twice the rate of inflation, according to a study released Tuesday by AARP.

AARP's annual Rx Watchdog Report tracked prices drug manufacturers charged wholesalers last year for about 200 prescription drugs popular with older Americans. The price hikes represented the largest annual jump since AARP began sponsoring the study five years ago.

"We are disappointed that brand name manufacturers have failed to keep their price increases in line with inflation despite consumer appeals for them to hold the line," AARP chief Bill Novelli said in a statement. "Much more needs to be done to slow down spiraling drug pricing."

The 7.1 percent hike, slightly higher than 2003's 7.0 percent jump, continues a trend of increasing drug prices. Since the end of 1999, prices of more than 150 popular name-brand drugs have risen an average 35.1 percent, nearly three times the 13.5 percent inflation rate over that period, the report said. In 2004, inflation was 2.7 percent in 2004.

...more...