AARP Public Policy Institute, Trends in Retail Prices of Prescription Drugs Widely Used by Medicare Beneficiaries 2005 to 2009, 2012.
This report compares prescription drug price changes to the rate of general inflation from one year to the next. The report focuses on changes in retail prices, or the amount that is actually charged to consumers (and/or insurers).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
National Health Expenditures.
These databases of national health expenditures record spending for health care in the United States from 1960 through 2010. The databases organize this information according to the type of service and the source of funding, and include estimates of national health spending on prescription medicines.
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.
This online resource compares prescription drugs based on ratings of efficacy, out of pocket costs, and safety. The site is designed to help consumers work with their physicians to identify the drugs that are most effective and affordable.
Express Scripts, 2011 Drug Trend Report, 2012.
This annual report from pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, discusses trends in prescription costs and utilization, as well as benefit design.
Families USA, Medicare: Drug Coverage Center.
This center has resources from Families USA and other groups that explain how Part D works, links to resources that can help beneficiaries make the right choices about their drug coverage, particularly low-income beneficiaries, an archive of materials on the history of the legislation, and other background information.
Keehan S et al. National Health Spending Projections Through 2020: Economic Recovery and Reform Drive Faster Spending Growth, 2011.
Based on past National Health Expenditures data, the authors project future health care spending in the U.S., including drug spending and sources of coverage.
Kaiser Family Foundation, Prescription Drug Trends Fact Sheet, 2010.
This fact sheet provides trend information about prescription drug expenditures and coverage, key factors that contribute to rising prescription spending, and efforts to contain rising drug costs.
Kaiser Family Foundation, Resources on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.
This is a collection of Kaiser Family Foundation resources, information, and background materials for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Other materials include:
Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plan Tracker
Medicare Part D 2012 Data Spotlight, 2012.
Low-Income Assistance Under the Medicare Drug Benefit, 2009.
Medicare Part D Spending Trends: Understanding Key Drivers and the Role of Competition, 2012.
The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, 2012.
The Kaiser Health Tracking Polls often asks about prescription medications and affordability and access.
Kaiser Family Foundation, Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey.
This benchmark annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including changes in premiums, employee contributions, cost-sharing policies and other relevant information.
Kaiser Family Foundation, State Health Facts.
This website provides state-level data on over 450 health issues, includes prescription drug utilization by state and information about state pharmaceutical assistance programs.
Medco, 2009 Drug Trend Report, 2009.
This report discusses Medco’s spending growth with respect to its clients. It identifies the categories of drugs and medications where growth was concentrated, discussing drug utilization growth and the role of specialty drugs. It also gives the outlook for the prescription drug industry over the next three years.
Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).
MEPS is a nationally representative survey that collects data on the health services that Americans use and their costs. MEPS data is available for public use, and several issue briefs on prescription drug expenditures are available on the website.
National Conference of State Legislatures,
Pharmaceuticals: Facts, Policies, and NCSL Resources.
This website contains links regarding state-level prescription drug concerns, such as the state “clawback” on Medicaid spending for dual eligibles and state-level prescription drug trends. Additionally, NCSL provides
Resources on Pharmaceutical Costs and Access, which lists a selection of recent government, academic, industry and consumer studies, analyses and related publications, designed to assist state-based research.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Fact Sheets and Policy Papers.
PhRMA provides an overview of various topics from the perspective of manufacturers and suppliers. Topics include Cost and Access, Intellectual Property Rights, and Appropriate Use of Medicines.