Drug prices for US elderly up 6 pct in 2005: study

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prices for brand name prescription medications used most by older patients rose an average 6 percent in 2005, outpacing inflation for the sixth year in a row, according to a report released on Monday.

In fact, the price drug makers charge wholesalers and other purchases for branded drugs has risen 40 percent since 1999, compared with inflation, which grew 17 percent, AARP researchers found. In 2005, inflation was 3.4 percent.

The nation's largest consumer group for the elderly reviewed 193 medications mostly for arthritis pain, osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other ailments that affect older Americans.

"Brand name drugs have become substantially less affordable for consumers at the same time they are becoming ever more essential to good medical care," said John Rother, AARP's director of policy and strategy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/drugs_prices_dc

[oscar111]

1. Nationalize all four corners of health, not just insurance

as kerry was to do last time.

the four are

drs
hospitals/nursing homes
insurance
Big Pill

do generics, if you cant nationalize multinationals.

[brentspeak]

2. The lobbyists and their Republican lapdogs won't allow that

(and probably a few DINOs can be thrown in there, too).

They'll get their think thanks to churn out a few more "Canadians are so unhappy with their national health care system that they travel to the US for operations" P.R. campaign B.S.

Funny thing is (or rather sad, that is): the Freeper types actually believe those talking points.

[MissMillie]

3. Please don't forget mental health coverage

but it's possible you're including them in your four.