Prescription drug costs

Commentary April 10, 2008 at 08:00 PM
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  • 7.4%: Average price increase for brand-name drugs last year.
  • 22%: Percentage of people 65 or older who take seven or more medications on a regular basis.
  • 13%: Percentage of people between 50 and 64 who take seven or more medications on a regular basis.
  • 29%: Percentage of people between 50 and 64 who take no medications; 10 percent of people over 65 take no medications.
  • 44%: Percentage of people between 50 and 64 with prescription drug coverage.
  • 8%: Percentage of people between 50 and 64 with coverage from a former employer; 36 percent have coverage from their current employer.
  • 12%: Percentage of people over 65 with prescription drug coverage from their current employer; 8 percent have coverage from a spouse's employer.
  • 42%: Percentage of people over 65 with drug coverage from Medicare Part D.

Source: AARP