Prescription Drug Use Raises Healthcare Concerns

Consumer spending on prescription drugs at pharmacies rose more than 17 percent last year to $154.5 billion, and 27 percent to $20.7 billion via mail order, finds a new study. The trend raises concerns about increases in health-insurance premiums and steeper pharmacy bills for those without drug coverage.

According to a National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation report, spending rose sharply because more people are using prescription drugs, more people are buying more expensive drugs and prescription-drug prices in general are rising faster than the cost of living.

The most commonly purchased prescription drugs were antidepressants. Ulcer and cholesterol drugs followed close behind as advertising is stepped up and more baby boomers start taking them.

Moderator Comment: What is the biggest contributor
to escalating prescription drug costs? [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• Spending
  on Prescription Drugs Rises Sharply – The New York Times
• Rise
  in Prescription-Drug Spending May Mean Steeper Premiums Ahead – The Wall
  Street Journal (subscription required)