AARP Launches ‘Stop Rx Greed’ Campaign Targeting High Prescription Drug Prices

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

AARP North Carolina President Dr. Catherine Sevier said, “This issue is a top priority for older Tar Heels and that is why we are launching this campaign.  AARP is calling on lawmakers to enact solutions that will provide long overdue relief for not just older Americans but all consumers.  Those solutions must lower drug prices and not simply shift costs around in the system.”

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.

Dr. Sevier added, “We are calling on Congress, the Administration and states to pass commonsense, bipartisan legislation to lower prescription drug prices now. It is time for drug companies to stop price gouging Americans.”

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.

In August and September, AARP North Carolina will be holding listening sessions in communities across the state with the goal of hearing your stories, concerns and tradeoffs when it comes to affording the medications your doctors prescribe. Find a listening session and other AARP events near you.

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

AARP member Delores Benton Evans discusses the challenges she faces when it comes to affording the medications she needs.