AARP Launches 'Stop Rx Greed' Campaign

Today, AARP announced the launch of ‘ Stop Rx Greed,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. The goal of AARP’s sustained campaign is to help drive down drug prices for Coloradans and all Americans by advocating for a variety of legislative, executive, and regulatory actions at both the federal and state level.

“Americans pay the highest brand-name drug prices in the world," said Bob Murphy, AARP Colorado state director. "Congress, the administration, and importantly, our own Colorado legislators must take action now to lower prescription drug prices, the root cause of this problem."

As part of the campaign, AARP Research conducted a national survey of likely voters ages 50 and older. The survey found that significant majorities of self-identified Republican, Democrat, and independent voters shared concerns about the high price of drugs, and support common-sense policies that will lower prices. Survey findings include:

• 72 percent say they are concerned about the cost of their medications.
• 63 percent say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable.
• 90 percent support allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
• 80 percent report taking at least one prescription medication.
• Nearly 40 percent say they did not fill a prescription provided by their doctor with cost being the most common reason.

"No American should be forced to choose between paying for the medicines they need and paying for food, rent or other necessities," Murphy said. "We urge lawmakers to work together and pass bipartisan, commonsense legislation to lower prescription drug prices."

The Stop Rx Greed campaign will include national television, radio and digital ads, editorial content, emails to members, social media posts, ongoing advocacy and grassroots activity in D.C. and the states, and a petition calling on Congress and the Administration to take action now. As part of the campaign, AARP will push for support of a number of policy solutions at the national and state level to help lower drug prices, including:

• Allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.
• Allowing states to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.
• Giving state Attorneys General authority to crack down on outrageous price increases.
• Clamping down on pay-for-delay and other loopholes that keep lower cost generic drugs off the market.
• Capping consumers’ prescription drug out-of-pocket costs.
• Preserving state pharmacy assistance programs.

For more about Stop Rx Greed, visit www.aarp.org/rx.