US opinion on prescription drug affordability

Home/Reports | Posted 24/09/2021 post-comment0 Post your comment

In June 2021, non-profit organization, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) research, released the results of KFF Health Tracking Poll (18–25 May 2021) regarding public opinion on prescription drugs and their prices in the US.

46 MD001580

The results of the poll revealed that just over half of adults reported currently taking at least one prescription drug, with almost a quarter reporting that they currently take four of more prescription medications, see Table 1.

With regards to affordability, almost 80% of adults said that the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable. However, the majority (74%) of those currently taking prescription drugs reported that affording their prescriptions is easy.

Table 1: Breakdown of the number of drugs taken by the 52% of poll contributors who currently take prescription drugs
Number of drugs taken by contributors % of poll contributors taking this quantity of prescription drugs
Take 1 prescription medicine 11
Take 2 prescription medicines 10
Take 3 prescription medicines 7
Take 4 or more prescription medicines 23

  
Overall, the poll has revealed that affordability is more of a concern for those taking more prescription medicines, those spending more on prescription drugs, those with low income and those in relatively poor health. For example, 35 % of those taking four or more prescription drugs say they have difficulty affording their prescriptions, whereas 17% of those who take three or fewer prescription medications report difficulty, see Table 2.

Table 2: Breakdown of the characteristics of poll contributors who report difficulty affording the cost of their prescription drugs
Characteristics % of contributors reporting difficulty affording medications
Number of medications taking
1 to 3 17
4 ore more 35
Monthly spending on prescriptions
Less than $100 17
More than $100 58
Health status
Excellent/very good/good 30
Fair/poor 49
Household income
Less than $40,000 35
Between $40,000–$89,999 21
More than $90,000 11

  
The poll has also revealed that almost 30% of adults reported not taking their medicines as prescribed at some point in the past year due to cost. Of these individuals, just under 40% reported not filing prescriptions or taking over-the-counter drugs instead, and over 10% reported halving or skipping doses.

In addition, the poll revealed that people believe more needs to be done in terms of regulation, to improve the affordability of prescription drugs [1].

Related articles
Affordable care act to stand in USA

More out-of-pocket costs for US patients with rising prescription drug prices

LATIN AMERICAN FORUM

The new section of the ‘Latin American Forum’ on GaBI has been launched. The objective of this new section is to provide you with all the latest news and updates on developments of generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America in Spanish.

View this week’s headline article: Compras federales de medicamentos biológicos para el cáncer en Brasil

Browse the news in the Latin American Forum!

Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative.

LATIN AMERICAN FORUM

Se ha lanzado la nueva sección del ‘Foro Latinoamericano’ sobre GaBI. El objetivo de esta nueva sección es brindarle las últimas noticias y actualizaciones sobre desarrollos de medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en América Latina en español.

Vea el artículo principal de esta semana: Compras federales de medicamentos biológicos para el cáncer en Brasil

Explore las noticias en el Foro Latinoamericano!

Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Foro Latinoamericano. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa. 

  
Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. US opinion on prescription drug price and regulation [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Sep 24]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/reports/us-opinion-on-prescription-drug-price-and-regulation 

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2021 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Most viewed articles
About GaBI
Home/About GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
Home/Guidelines Posted 08/10/2010