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Drugs Used By Seniors Increased 2X Inflation

Tue, 06/20/2000 - 11:00pm — Karen Stevenson
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Families USA released a report about the rising cost of pharmaceuticals for older people. The report found that in the one year period from 1999-2000:

* Prices for the 50 drugs most frequently used by seniors rose, on average, nearly double the rate of inflation
* Of the 50 drugs, only 12 rose slower than inflation; nine had no price increase.
* Prices for 33 of those drugs rose by at least 1.5 times the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 25 of those drugs rose at least twice the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 15 of those drugs rose at least three times the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 11 of those drugs rose at least four times the rate of inflation.

The cost of one drug, furosemide (a diuretic manufactured by Watson and used to treat conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure), rose by 50%, about 23 times the rate of inflation. Another drug, Klor-Con 10 (manufactured by Upsher-Smith and used as a potassium replacement), rose 44%, or about 20 times the inflation rate.

Families USA released a report about the rising cost of pharmaceuticals for older people. The report found that in the one year period from 1999-2000:

* Prices for the 50 drugs most frequently used by seniors rose, on average, nearly double the rate of inflation
* Of the 50 drugs, only 12 rose slower than inflation; nine had no price increase.
* Prices for 33 of those drugs rose by at least 1.5 times the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 25 of those drugs rose at least twice the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 15 of those drugs rose at least three times the rate of inflation.
* Prices for 11 of those drugs rose at least four times the rate of inflation.

The cost of one drug, furosemide (a diuretic manufactured by Watson and used to treat conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure), rose by 50%, about 23 times the rate of inflation. Another drug, Klor-Con 10 (manufactured by Upsher-Smith and used as a potassium replacement), rose 44%, or about 20 times the inflation rate.