Advocacy

WASHINGTON—Retail prices for 267 brand-name drugs commonly used by older adults surged by an average of 5.8% in 2018, more than twice the general inflation rate of 2.4%, according to new AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) data released today. The annual average cost of therapy for one brand-name drug ballooned to more than $7,200 in 2018, up from nearly $1,900 in 2006.

Have you had to ration your meds or go without because of the cost?

Your eyes aren’t tricking you: AARP’s drug-price-fighting Tyrannosaurus Rexes—known as the “Rx T. Rex”—are back and roaring about their mission to make high drug prices extinct. This time the mighty dinos are stomping around Capitol Hill and all across the nation, urging Congress to take a bite out of high drug prices.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, AARP Georgia and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted a Telehealth Forum at the Cobb Galleria Centre. The Telehealth Forum provided information to AARP members, Caregivers, and Veterans about how to utilize telehealth technology.

CHICAGO—AARP today released new data and an infographic illustrating the impact of high prescription drug prices on Americans, specifically people 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.

WASHINGTON—AARP is very pleased to announce that AARP National Volunteer President Catherine Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the newly formed Family Caregiving Advisory Council set up under the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act of 2017.

Americans pay among the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs and many have to choose between buying the medications they need and other essentials. Meanwhile, brand name drug prices continue to increase at rates that far exceed general inflation. Nationally, the average annual cost of prescription drug treatment increased 57.8% between 2012 and 2017, while the annual income for Georgians increased only 9.6%.[i]

ASD Hillary Thomas met with the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging’s Advocacy group. We presented on Rx Greed as well as discussing AARP’s resources and how we help the aging community.

ASD Jil Hinds and volunteers from the veteran team (Diana Johnson, Herbert Maxwell and Jessie Milner) participated in the Atlanta VA’s Summer Housing Fair.

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement today after the administration announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the importation of prescription drugs: