Report: Prescription Drug Spending Tops Year-Over-Year Price Growth for Major Health Categories

A new report from the Altarum Institute found that from August 2014 to August 2015, spending for prescription drugs grew significantly faster than for any other health category, continuing its unsustainable pace. In response to the release of this data, John Rother, president of the National Coalition on Health Care and leader of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, issued the following statement:

“This latest health care spending growth report is more proof that astronomical prescription drug pricing continues to send health care spending higher and higher for consumers, public programs and our economy. As a result of the pharmaceutical industry’s shameless pricing strategies, prescription drug spending grew by a massive 9.2 percent in August 2015, outpacing every other major health category. This monthly report once again serves as a perfect example of a system that is truly out of control, reinforcing the need to find a sustainable solution before it’s too late.”