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New Analysis Showing that 45 Million Americans Forego Medications Due to Costs

Posted at 12:59 PM on Feb 6, 2017

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Today, Prescription Justice issued a press release announcing new data showing that 45 million Americans did not fill a prescription in 2016 because of drug costs and the publication of its policy report recommending that President Donald Trump take executive actions to help consumers more easily import lower cost medications for personal use. Previously, Prescription Justice reported that 35 million American adults did not fill a prescription because of cost. The new data, extracted from the Commonwealth Fund’s 2016 International Health Policy Survey of Adults, shows the crisis of high drug prices to be worse than is widely reported. 

In fact, Americans are nine times more likely to not fill a prescription because of cost than citizens of the UK where the National Health Service comprehensively covers people’s prescription needs. The striking comparison is 18% (U.S.) to 2% (UK) of the population forging medications at the pharmacy because of prices. Immediate executive actions to improve access to lower cost medications are needed while Congress provides the legislative reforms necessary for a longer term solution.

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