This collection explores the challenges of prescription drug affordability in the United States compared to other wealthy nations, highlighting high costs and substantial out-of-pocket expenses for Americans. Click here for article.
Prescription drug spending per capita in the U.S. was $1,126 in 2019, double the average of comparable countries at $552, driven by higher prices and extensive use of brand-name medications.
Out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs in the U.S. ($164 per capita in 2019) is significantly higher than in other comparable nations, contributing to financial burdens for patients.
Prices of brand-name drugs for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are notably higher in the U.S. compared to countries such as the U.K. and Germany.
While generics account for 90% of dispensed prescriptions in the U.S., they represent only 19.8% of total drug spending, indicating challenges in reducing overall prescription drug costs despite their lower prices.
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