The Price of Prescription Drugs

THE PRICE OF Rx PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WILL MAKE YOU SICK IN THE U.S. IN THE LAST 30 DAYS 48.7% of people have used at least 1 prescription drug 21.8% of people have used at least 3+ prescription drugs 10.7% of people have used at least 5+ prescription drugs of the $263 billion spent on retail prescription drugs in the U.S. in 2012 was paid out of pocket 18% $1 TRILLION Annual worldwide sales topped $1 trillion at the end of 2014 The U.S. accounts for more than 1/3 of the pharmaceutical industry's total profit, with an average of roughly $340 billion in sales A MOUNTAIN OF MEDICATION: U.S. Prescription Drug Expenditures 300 250 200 150 100 50 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD? 24 %24 THE 7 MOST EXPENSIVE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 1. SOLIRIS Used in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare blood disease characterized by the destruction of red blood cells $440,000 annually That equates to roughly 379 ounces of gold 20 ounces 2. ELAPRASE Used in the treatment of Hunter syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that occurs when an enzyme is either missing or doesn't work properly $375,000 annually That equates to roughly 323 ounces of gold 20 ounces 3. NAGLAZYME Used in the treatment of Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that results from the deficiency of one or more enzymes $365,000 annually That equates to roughly 314 ounces of gold 20 ounces 4. CINRYZE Used in the treatment of Angioedema, a type of swelling that happens just below the surface of the skin $350,000 annually That equates to roughly 302 ounces of gold 20 ounces 5. FOLOTYN Used in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma, a blood cancer in which blood cells grow and multiply uncontrollably $320,000 annually That equates to roughly 276 ounces of gold 20 ounces 6. ACTHAR Used in the treatment of seizures in infants under the age of two $300,000 annually That equates to roughly 258 ounces of gold 20 ounces 7. MYOZYME Used in the treatment of Pompe disease, a rare inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness $100,000-$300,000 annually That equates to roughly 86-258 ounces of gold 20 ounces %24 RX PRICES TOP THE SCALES IN THE U.S. The U.S. spends nearly $1,000 per person per year on pharmaceuticals $10 That's around 40% more than Canada And more than twice as much as countries including France and Germany In a Kaiser Family Foundation poll: 72% of Americans say the cost of prescription medications is unreasonable 73% believe drug companies make too much profit In 2013, the International Federation of Health Plans compared the prices of common medications around the world United States Canada New Zealand Netherlands Spain England Switzerland Average price Enbrel $2,225 $1,646 $1,563 $1,509 $1,386 $1,117 $1,017 Prescribed to treat autoimmune diseases Gleevec $6,214 $1,141 $989 $3,321 $3,348 $2,697 $3,633 Prescribed to treat cancers, including types of leukemia Humira $2,246 $1,950 $1,481 $1,498 $1,498 $1,102 $881 Prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis Cymbalta Prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia $194 $110 $52 $71 $46 $76 Nexium $215 $23 $58 $42 $60 Prescribed to treat acid reflux CUTTING COSTS: Americans strategize ways to reduce prescription drug costs 18 and over 15 18-64 65 and over 10 Asked doctor for a lower-cost medication Did not take medication Brought prescription drugs from another Used alternative as perscribed therapies country STRATEGIES TO REDUCE COSTS For many, prescription drugs can be a matter of life or death. But with soaring costs, affording certain medications may feel like mining for gold. BROUGHT TO YOU BY: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: HEALTH PERCH GHERGICH&Co. cdc.gov fool.com goldpriceoz.com heraldonline.com huffingtonpost.com pbs.org static1.squarespace.com statista.com therichest.com pbs.org EXPENDITURE PERCENT OF U.S. ADULTS WHO USED SELECT STRATEGIES (By Age Group) [Billions of U.S. Dollars]