US Public's Opinion of Prescription Drug Costs

1. SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted February 14-24, 2019). See topline for full question wording and response options.
59%
say prescription drugs developed over
the past 20 years have made the lives
of people in the U.S. better
say the cost of prescription drugs
is unreasonable
79%
While Most Adults Say Prescription Drugs Have Made Lives
Better, A Large Majority Also Say The Cost Is Unreasonable

2. $78
$105
$139
$177
$205
$236
$253 $259
$265
$325
$333
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
Over the Last 20 Years, Drug Spending Increased by 330%, Compared
With a 208% Increase in Total Health Expenditures
Prescription drug spending, 1997-2017 (in $ Billions)
Total Health
Spending: $1,135B $3,492B 208%
330%
Percent
Growth
NOTE: Spending amounts have not been adjusted for inflation.
SOURCE: Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker National Health Spending Explorer

3. Three In Ten Report Not Taking Meds As Prescribed Due To Cost
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted February 14-24, 2019). See topline for full question wording and response options.
29%
25%
43%
28%
48%
All Adults
Excellent/Good health
Only fair/poor health
Insured
Uninsured
In the past 12 months, percent who say they cut pills in half, skipped doses, substituted
with an over-the-counter drug, or did not fill a prescription because of the cost:
22%
36%
25%
36%
23%
51%
Taking 1-3 Rx drugs
Taking 4+ Rx drugs
Income $40,000+
Income <$40,000
Spend <$100 per month on Rx
Spend $100+ per month on Rx

4. Public Sees Pharmaceutical Company Profits As Top Contributor
To High Health Care Costs
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted August 23-28, 2018). See topline for full question wording and response options.
78%
71%
71%
70%
62%
49%
47%
45%
41%
39%
38%
28%
Drug companies make too much money
Fraud and waste
Hospitals charge too much
Insurance companies make too much
Expensive new medical technologies
Doctors charge too much
Population aging
Cost of medical malpractice lawsuits
Overuse of services
The ACA
Trump admin's actions on health
Consumers don't shop around
Percent who say each of the following is a major reason why people’s health care costs have been rising:

5. 70%
69%
56%
30%
30%
Lowering prescription drug costs for as many
Americans as possible
Making sure the ACA's protections for people with
pre-existing conditions continue
Protecting people from surprise high out-of-
network medical bills
Repealing and replacing the ACA
Implementing a national Medicare-for-all plan
Lowering Drug Costs Is One Of The Public’s Top Health Policy
Priorities For Congress
Percent as of September 2019 who say each of the following should be a top priority for Congress to do
next year when it comes to health care:
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted September 3-8, 2019). See topline for full question wording and response options.

6. Public, Including Partisans, Support Many Actions To Lower Drug Costs
SOURCE: KFF Health Tracking Poll (conducted February 14-24, 2019). See topline for full question wording and response options.
Percent who favor each of the following actions to keep prescription drug costs down:
89%
90%
78%
74%
73%
54%
59%
90%
85%
80%
76%
54%
48%
55%
44%
Democrats Republicans
Requiring drug companies to include list prices in ads
Making it easier for generic drugs to come to market
Allowing the gov’t to negotiate with drug companies
Allowing Americans to buy drugs imported from Canada
Lowering what Medicare pays based on other countries’ prices
Increasing taxes on drug companies whose prices are too high
Ending tax break for drug companies’ advertising spending
Allowing Medicare plans to restrict use of certain drugs