Drug prices jump again while other health costs decline

[Redfairen]

Source: USA Today

After dropping during the recession, drug prices have reignited in the past four years, returning to growth rates of a decade ago. In 2012, prescription drug prices rose 3.6%, twice the 1.7% inflation rate, Bureau of Economic Analysis data show.

The trend is in sharp contrast to other health costs. Prices for a doctor's visit, lab test and nursing home room all fell below the rate of inflation for the past two years.

What's driving drug costs up: brand-name drugs paid for by insurance and often heavily advertised.

The price escalation on patented drugs has offset enormous savings that have occurred simultaneously from the growing use of inexpensive generic drugs. Generic drugs can be made by multiple companies, which compete on price. Four of every five prescriptions are for generics, which can cost one-fourth or less than the brand name version.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/13/price-of-a-prescription-rising-again/1918099/

[AndyA]

1. Heavily advertised prescription drugs

I'm so sick of their ads, you can't escape them. Isn't the cost of prescription drugs one of the biggest factors in the rising cost of Medicare and Medicaid?

If they stopped running ads, they could greatly reduce the cost of the drugs. (Along with cutting compensation for pharma executives, which is outrageous.)

[zabet]

2. I hate the pharma ads!

All they are doing is baiting an otherwise unknowledgable person into thinking this new drug will cure their problems. Much like a drug dealer baits young and unwise kids into becoming users. "It'll make u feel good!"

That said.....big pharma is for a large part, liscensed drug dealers....feeding the public the feel good...when the populace is happy...a lot tend to ignore what their government is doing and don't particularly care because, everything is peachy-keen thanks to mah new pillz.

I have a real issue with this because I live in an area where prescription abuse is rampant.

[CountAllVotes]

7. we don't need any more doctors

Last edited Thu Feb 14, 2013, 09:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Let the pharmaceutical companies take over. Whoops! I think they've already done that haven't they?

Since WHEN does a pharmaceutical drug company that has some lackey answering that phone giving you advice as to what "other" (aka "cheaper&quot drug you must take is the rule.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. Endless drug commerials on TV saying "tell your doctor"

How can a non-expert layman be telling their doctor what medication they should be taking? And why is it now when I visit a doctor in a medical building I see dozens of attractive young ladies pulling carts with briefcases filled with drug samples to try to convince doctors what drugs they should prescribe? Again, why should uneducated non-experts have any input in medical decisions and be taking up precious doctor time from patients? Shouldn’t doctors be consulting the latest published research in medical journals to make these decisions on behalf of patients instead of looking at and listening to ladies in high heels and short skirts hawking their wares like Indian tonic at an old wild west medicine show?

[formercia]

3. My co-pay for my BP Meds went from $30 to $120 this Month.

The Insurance Carrier (Aetna) decided to pass on the increased cost directly to my co-pay. So, I can't afford the increase and will have to take a cheaper generic. That means my quality of Life goes in the shitter. Thanks assholes.

[valerief]

4. Soooooo...drug prices are going up, because they can. nt

[DaveJ]

5. I'm sure they're all one mega coporation

They need to raise prices elsewhere when they make less on another division. Either way the execs make more money overall with not an iota of concern for anyone but themselves.

[CountAllVotes]

6. same here

Last edited Fri Feb 15, 2013, 05:57 AM - Edit history (1)

Three of my RX's went from a $25.00 co-pay to $100.00.

I hope the pharmaceutical companies rot in hell. That would suit me just fine.

Bastards.

& recommend.

[Socal31]

9. The original patent holding brand-name usually owns an off-shoot

that sells the generics as well.

I hate big-Pharma and the FDA, but they are the ones investing millions to bring a drug into the market and possibly cure desiese. Unfortunately they also have to turn a profit, so they pressure the FDA to approve drugs that should not be marketed to ANYONE. I despise ADD stimulants, Benzos, Tylenol intentionally put into opiates, and etc.


Sigh....

[lib2DaBone]

10. A giant wet kiss the the big Drug Companies....

Courtesy of G.W. Bush.....