I swear that I am too young for the AARP - but I do subscribe to their Bulletin because I find issues affecting seniors are important to all of us. In this month's issue, the AARP reports that the average price of brand name drugs (not generics) have gone up by a whopping 3.9% in the first quarter since the act went into effect on January 1st, 2006. That's four times the rate of inflation.
Most notably, Ambien, which is often prescribed for insomnia and other sleep disorders, went up by over 13% (that's in ONE QUARTER!)
Interestingly, there were no price increases in the same quarter for any of the 75 generic drugs commonly used by seniors. This information comes from The Rx Watchdog Study, which monitors drug prices.
See what I mean about how we should all be concerned about issues that traditionally impact the elderly more than the rest of us? Doesn't this just make you want go out and do something about it?
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