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OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION Global Health eMagazine September 2022 Health Disparities Within Our Borders Section Editor: Ritesh Vidhun Undergraduate junior at Tufts University studying public health and economics on the pre-medical track Written by Ritesh Vidhun Highlights Spotlight Reflections Health Disparities Within Our Borders Nursing Division Among the Letters Our Beautiful Planet Art to Remember Who We Can Be Article of he Month Videos of the Month Global Health Family Calendar Photo News Resources Skip a Meal for Your Meds? The Increasingly Detrimental Situation of Pharmaceutical Drug Costs in the United States Part 2/2 Imaculada Hernandez, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, found that in the case of brand-name drugs, rising prices were driven by manufacturers increasing prices of medications that are already in the market rather than [by] the entry of new products,” (Hernandez in Blumberg 2019). For example, a brand of insulin called Lantus increased in price by almost 50 percent despite being on the market for over a decade. Yet the average net price for Lantus has actually decreased in recent years. Pharmaceutical drug manufacturers are increasing the prices of essential drugs, not only because of research and development costs but also the freedom and lack of competition that exists in the American market. These developments have large ramifications on all individuals, not only those who are uninsured. Hernandez explains how “rising drug prices affect uninsured or underinsured patients, patients with highdeductible plans, those in the deductible or doughnut hole phase of their plans, the government as a payer, and all Americans in the form of higher premiums” (Blumberg 2019). There exists a series of problems that arise from increasing drug costs which impact a much larger spectrum of people than one may assume. This issue causes many Americans to avoid taking their much-needed medications due to financial reasons. In fact, a KFF study discovered that uninsured individuals are nearly three times as likely to skip their prescription due to cost (Lopes 2019). Furthermore, even “14 percent of insured Americans reported that, in the past year, they did not fill a prescription or skipped doses of medicine because of the cost, 2 percent in the U.K. and 10 percent in Canada, the nation with the highest rate after the U.S.” (Sarnak et al. 2017). The financial burden of pharmaceutical drugs has reached a point where people have to skip their treatments and suffer through illnesses because of financial restrictions. It is clear that increasing drug costs is an issue that severely impacts many Americans and one that needs to be solved immediately. It has tremendous effects on U.S. healthcare and prevents many from obtaining the medications that they so desperately need. Whether you have insurance or not, the rising costs of medications negatively affect everyone. Being able to understand the developments that have led to this situation is necessary before considering possible solutions to gain a 16
OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION Global Health eMagazine September 2022 Highlights Spotlight Reflections Health Disparities Within Our Borders Nursing Division Among the Letters Our Beautiful Planet Art to Remember Who We Can Be wider perspective. This problem can be very complex and being aware provides people with the opportunity to understand why their out-of-pocket spending is so high and how the government is (or is not) helping them. Although this problem is one that many lawmakers are hoping to tackle, the partisan political gridlock in Washington has made it difficult to pass much meaningful legislation. Until our elected officials decide to work across the aisle and focus on the people rather than their political parties, it is certain that there will be little change to come. That is why it is necessary for more individuals to become informed about the current state of the pharmaceutical drug situation. Greater awareness will eventually lead to more involvement and activism, consequently helping demonstrate to the government the importance of finding a solution. The shocking costs of drugs in the U.S. are so much higher than other developed nations, preventing our citizens from receiving effective care and services. Understanding and tackling this major issue will help propel the U.S into eventually improving the standard of living for all. As change remains on the backburners of American society, it is only a matter of time until problems become irreversible. References: 4: Hernandez, Inmaculada, et al. “The Contribution Of New Product Entry Versus Existing Product Inflation In The Rising Costs Of Drugs.” Health Affairs, vol. 38, no. 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 76–83. DOI.org (Crossref), doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05147. 5: Blumberg, Yoni. “Here’s Why Many Prescription Drugs in the US Cost so Much— and It’s Not Innovation or Improvement.” CNBC, 14 Jan. 2019, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/10/why-prescription-drugs-in-the-us-cost-somuch.html 6: Sarnak, Dana O., et al. Prescription Drug Spending: Why Is the U.S. an Outlier? Oct. 2017. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2017/oct/payingprescripton-drugs-around-world-why-us-outlier. Article of he Month Videos of the Month Global Health Family Calendar Photo News Resources Click here to visit the Nuvance Health Global Health Program COVID-19 Resource Center 17 17
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