Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Economy pushes drug costs out of reach

|
|
 
  
Published: June 4, 2009 at 1:03 PM

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., June 4 (UPI) -- Many Americans say they cannot afford critical prescription drugs, even with government help, low-cost generics and chain-store discounting.

"I take the ones I can afford and then trust in the Lord," Robert Brown, 60, who has heart disease and emphysema, tells The New York Times at a drugstore in Rocky Mount, N.C.

National surveys find that as many as a third of U.S. respondents say they don't fill prescriptions doctors give them because of cost, up from about a fourth three years ago, the newspaper says.

Many customers at an Almand's Drug Store in the struggling Oakwood neighborhood -- particularly those too well off for Medicaid government assistance but unable to afford health insurance -- simply pick and choose among risks, they say.

They weigh not taking maintenance medications against more immediate needs like shelter and food, the newspaper says.

James Crawford, recovering from his third heart attack,says he needs to know prices before filling prescriptions for high blood pressure, angina, cholesterol and acid reflux. After learning his co-payments under Medicare would range from $8.25 to $18.49 for a one-month supply, Crawford, 61, tells the pharmacist he can afford only the heart, blood pressure and acid reflux pills.

Topics: Robert Brown
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Health News Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
Daily Show writer partners with Slate to crowdsource ideas for amending and rewriting the Constitution....
Canada's national archives is being dismantled and scattered, who needs to remember the history...
Man disappears in Niagara Falls whirlpool; presumed to be spinning in his grave
Woman swallows toothbrush while brushing her teeth. Surgeons remove it before Oral B becomes Anal...
MSNBC Host Chris Hayes: I'm 'Uncomfortable' calling fallen military 'Heroes'
What do you REALLY know about the Queen?