Greater use and availability account for part of the increase. An up-surge in prices explains the rest. Big profit margins provide the primary explanation.
Pharmaceuticals don t require giant mark-ups.
Not surprisingly, corporations pay big money to protect their profits. In addition, regulatory changes allow more advertising now than in the past. The billions spent on ads only add to the costs of treatment. Reforms are possible. Changing Medicare coverage to include prescription drugs would protect the elderly while allowing the government to bargain for lower prices.