A new Consumer Reports survey of 1,200 adults who currently take prescription medications found that in the past year, 22% of them—which comes to an estimated 27 million Americans—experienced a price increase for one or more of their medications.

A new Consumer Reports survey of 1,200 adults who currently take prescription medications found that in the past year, 22% of them—which comes to an estimated 27 million Americans—experienced a price increase for one or more of their medications. Approximately a third of those people said they paid at least $50 per month extra for one or more prescriptions. When drug costs rise, consumers often resort to desperate measures, the survey suggests. People who experienced price increases in their medications were more likely to say that they rationed their own drugs by not taking them as often as they should. They were also more likely to split their tablets without first talking with a doctor, or to use expired medication. About 20% of those surveyed said they did not fill their prescription at all. "Seeing a patient give up needed medication or not be able to pay for food or housing because of high drug costs is devastating," says Marvin M. Lipman, MD, Consumer Reports' chief medical adviser. "And while it’s not always possible to limit those costs, it often is."

Consumer Reports (12/14/17) Skinner, Ginger

https://www.consumerreports.org/drug-prices/americans-say-they-are-suffering-as-drug-costs-continue-to-rise/