New video: Massachusetts Residents Speak Out Against the High Cost of Prescription Drugs

By now, you have probably heard about Stop Rx Greed, a nationwide campaign by AARP aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. The goal of AARP’s sustained campaign is to help drive down drug prices for Commonwealth residents and all Americans by advocating for a variety of legislative, executive, and regulatory actions at both the federal and state level. AARP Massachusetts has heard from many Commonwealth residents willing to share their story about prescription drug affordability. They have shared their experiences with prescription drug costs and the difficult choices and sacrifices they have had to make in order to pay for prescribed medication. Some have had to ration their medications or not take them at all. Please watch these stories and let us know if you would like to share your experience with us.

As part of the campaign, AARP is pushing for support of a number of policy solutions at the national and state level to help lower drug prices, including:

· Allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.

· Allowing states to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.

· Giving state Attorneys General authority to crack down on outrageous price increases.

· Clamping down on pay-for-delay and other loopholes that keep lower cost generic drugs off the market.

· Capping consumers’ prescription drug out-of-pocket costs.

· Preserving state pharmacy assistance programs.

AARP Research conducted a national survey of likely voters ages 50 and older. The survey found that significant majorities of self-identified Republican, Democrat, and independent voters shared concerns about the high price of drugs, and support common-sense policies that will lower prices.

Survey findings include:

· 72 percent say they are concerned about the cost of their medications.

· 63 percent say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable.

· 90 percent support allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.

· 80 percent report taking at least one prescription medication.

· Nearly 40 percent say they did not fill a prescription provided by their doctor with cost being the most common reason.

For more information or to get involved, visit the StopRxGreed website.