Moreover, major policy changes such as the implementation of Medicare Part D and the Affordable Care Act provided millions of Americans with prescription coverage for the first time. 4 In addition to factors such as obesity and an aging population that influence pharmaceutical usage, prescribing patterns and access to drugs are affected by several other variables, including revised clinical indications, new medication approvals, and loss of patent protection. 4 Notably, the percentage of American adults taking 5 or more prescription drugs nearly doubled between 20 from 8% to 15%. Nearly 3 in 5 American adults take at least 1 prescription drug, which is up markedly since 2000. The fact that a majority of American adults use prescription medications is likely driving the issue of drug affordability as a policy priority. 1 Although prescription spending growth has moderated and drug spending remains a relatively small part of total medical expenditures, 2 a 2018 Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that a significant majority of Americans think that Congress and the president are not doing enough about the problem. In a recent survey, 82% of respondents identified medical costs as their biggest financial challenge. 2019 25(2):57-58Access to affordable prescription drugs is a topic of increasing public concern.
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