AARP Launches 'Stop Rx Greed' Campaign Targeting High Prescription Drug Prices

New Campaign Focuses on Federal and State Solutions to Cut Drug Prices Now

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Mar 12, 2019, 14:30 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Pennsylvanians and all Americans by advocating for a variety of legislative, executive, and regulatory actions at both the federal and state level.

"People of all ages depend on their prescriptions and unfair prices are putting their medicines out of reach," said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh.

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.

"It's time to crack down on drug companies for charging Americans the highest prices in the world for the medicines they need," said Johnston-Walsh. "No one should have to choose between paying for medications and buying food to feed their family."

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.
Establishing a Pennsylvania Commission examining prescription drug pricing.
Ensuring transparency on Pennsylvania prescription drug pricing.

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

About AARP
AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. Follow AARP Pennsylvania on Facebook at AARPPA and on Twitter @AARPPA.

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

CONTACT:

Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or [email protected]
Or
Jacklyn Isasi, AARP PA
(267) 825-9928 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania