The Burden of Prescription Drug Prices on Seniors

America’s seniors are increasingly finding it harder and harder to pay for prescription drugs. The , published in December 2021, details the experiences and the impact these costs are having on seniors including skipping medications to save money or foregoing care all together.

Data Highlights

• More than 1 in 10 Americans age 65+ have skipped a pill to save money in the past year. Among Hispanic seniors, it is nearly 1 in 5.

• 94% of Americans age 65+ agree that the cost of prescription drugs in America is too high.

• 34% of Americans age 65+ are concerned that their household will be unable to pay for necessary prescription drugs in the next year. Among Black seniors, 42% are concerned.

• The number of Americans age 65+ that have been unable to afford prescription drugs in the past 3 months has tripled over the past year – from 3% in March to 9% in October.

• Black seniors were significantly more likely to be unable to afford their drugs than White seniors, with 13% unable to afford their medication compared to 8%.