An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back

Currently, there is no way for American patients to easily identify the cheapest prescription drug vendors. There is also very little regulation of drug pricing: the cost and copay of a lifesaving medication could change from month to month, and many patients do not learn this until they are already picking up their filled prescriptions. A 2015 poll revealed that 72% of Americans “considered drug costs unreasonable” and 25% reported having “a difficult time paying for their drugs, a proportion that rises dramatically for people who are poor or in poor health” (302). This problem can only be overcome with legislation, and considering Congress’ perpetual state of partisan gridlock, it is important for patients to understand how they can adapt to the reality of the situation.

Patients can often reduce drug costs by learning about certain active components. Certain prescription medications are combinations of older drugs or repackaged versions of older formulas. Increased cost does not always indicate increased functionality. Oftentimes, research will uncover cheaper generic alternatives. There are workarounds patients can pursue if that is an option. Some patients will elect to select a higher dose of a drug (if it is on an insurer’s formulary) and will cut the pills in half.