AARP Florida Shows Impact of Skyrocketing Drug Prices on Floridians with New Data and Infographic

Tallahassee, Fla. —AARP Florida today released new state data and an infographic illustrating the impact of high prescription drug prices for Floridians, specifically those living with cancer, prediabetes or diabetes, and heart disease. AARP unveiled the infographic at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) annual conference as part of AARP’s nationwide Stop Rx Greed campaign to lower drug prices for all Americans.

“Nearly three in ten Floridians have stopped taking prescription medications because of cost, according to newly released AARP research,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP’s Florida state director. “That’s a shocking situation, and it plays out in higher health-care costs for all of us. It’s also why Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature earlier this year enacted a far-reaching plan to import safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada and other countries.”

Be sure to check out the two infographics below!

“Florida is just one of 29 states that have passed 46 new laws to rein in drug prices. Now it’s critical that Florida’s U.S. senators and members of Congress keep the momentum going to #StopRxGreed,” Johnson said. “AARP Florida is eager to work with Gov. DeSantis and President Trump’s administration to implement Florida’s new law in ways that consumers can see benefits.”

In 2016, 29 percent of Floridians stopped taking a prescription drug as prescribed due to cost, as shown in the infographic. The infographic also highlights recent price increases for select prescription drugs commonly used to treat cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Between 2012 and 2017, the retail price of:

• Revlimid, used to treat cancer, increased from $147,413 per year to $247,496 per year. In Florida, more than 2.4 million people are living with cancer.
• Lantus, a form of insulin used to treat diabetes, increased from $2,907 per year to $4,702 per year. There are about 2.1 million people with diabetes in Florida.
• Aggrenox, a heart disease medication, increased from $3,030 per year to $5,930 per year. In Florida, nearly 790,000 people have heart disease.

To learn more about AARP’s Stop Rx Greed campaign and view the national infographic, visit www.aarp.org/rx.