Advances in pharmaceutical therapies have transformed health care over the last several decades.  Today, many diseases are prevented, cured, or managed effectively for years through the use of prescription drugs.  In 2002, spending on prescription drugs in the U.S. grew 15 percent compared to a 9 percent increase for health care overall.  Growing concerns about the affordability of needed drugs, coupled with the significant profitability of drug manufacturers, are causing policymakers and others to consider new approaches to addressing drug costs.  Methods of controlling prescription costs (such as formularies, requiring generic rather than brand name drugs, tiered copayments) are in widespread use throughout the health system, and their impact on costs and consumers are being examined.  Other policy options, such as the importation or reimportation of drugs from other countries (namely Canada and Mexico), have also been proposed in the hopes of easing the cost burden, but the impact of such policies on drug costs is unknown.

This page contains links to key research, policy analysis, and the latest data and statistics on policies relation to prescription drug coverage and costs.