AARP launches ‘Stop Rx Greed” campaign

On March 12, AARP announced the launch of its newest initiative  – “Stop Rx Greed” – a nationwide campaign 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.

Mike Festa, state director, AARP Massachusetts, said the cost of prescription medications is an increasingly important issue for the state’s residents of all ages, but especially for elders.

  “Older Massachusetts residents are struggling with rising prescription drug prices and cannot afford to wait any longer. Year-after-year they have seen prices increase by double-digits – with no end in sight. That is why 72 percent of older Americans say they are concerned about the cost of their medications, making it a priority for policymakers to act on prescription drug prices,” said Festa “We are calling on Congress, the Administration, and Massachusetts lawmakers to pass commonsense, bipartisan legislation to lower prescription drug prices now.”

Telling research

As part of the campaign, AARP Research conducted a national survey of likely voters ages 50 and older. The survey, conducted online and by telephone by the nonpartisan and objective research organization NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of AARP between Feb. 15 and March 4, polled 2,025 adults included a nationally representative sample of adults ages 50-plus (1,218), with multicultural oversamples of African American/Blacks (463 total) and Hispanic/Latinos (344 total). The survey was conducted in both English and Spanish. Results of the polling indicate 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.

According to the AARP report, the 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.

“AARP is calling on lawmakers to enact solutions that will provide long overdue relief for not just older Americans, but all consumers.  Those solutions must lower drug prices and not simply shift costs around in the system,” said Festa.

A push for change

The Stop Rx Greed campaign will include national television, radio and digital ads, editorial content, emails to members, social media posts, ongoing advocacy and grassroots activity in D.C. and the states, and a petition calling on Congress and the Administration to take action now. As part of the campaign, AARP will push 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.

“There is no reason Commonwealth residents should be paying the highest drug prices in the world. The time to act is now,” said Festa. “This issue is a top priority for older Americans and that is why we are launching this campaign.”

For more information about the Stop Rx Greed campaign, visit www.aarp.org/rx.