You've read the article. Now tell us what you think. Explanations for rising drug costs can be as complicated as the pharmaceutical formulas themselves. The brand-name pharmaceutical industry blames research costs and inadequate patent protection.
Consumer advocates point to profits and pricing structures.
With such disagreement over cause, achieving consensus on a solution remains elusive. Meanwhile, nurses and pharmacists often get caught in the middle, trying to deal with patients anger over costs while trying to encourage compliance with drug regimens. Least able pay the most While more than 65 percent of adults over age 50 use prescription drugs, not everyone pays the same price. There s a spectrum of markets in this country. Those who can collectively bargain for a lower price, such as managed care organizations and the federal government, get the best deals.