Prescription Drug Prices Continue To Climb

[jeffrey]

Prices of drugs commonly used by people older than 50 increased far faster than inflation in the first quarter of the year, a period just after President Bush signed the Medicare drug benefit law, according to a study released Wednesday by the AARP.

The study found that prices drugmakers charged to wholesalers for the 197 brand-name medications used most frequently by older Americans rose 3.4 percent during the three-month period ending March 31, much higher than the 1. 2 percent annual inflation rate registered during the same period.

While the study doesn't specifically claim that drugmakers raised prices in anticipation of the Medicare benefit, AARP officials noted that prices continued climbing after the new law was enacted. The latest increases put 2004 on track for the fastest rise in drug prices in the past four years, they said... [read more at sfgate.com]

For more ideas on how to save on prescription drugs other than typical discounts, read the SavingAdvice.com article Save On Prescription Drugs