About 28% of American adults struggle to afford prescription drugs, with the U.S. spending more on medications than other countries. Merith Basey of Patients for Affordable Drugs blames pharmaceutical companies for maintaining monopolies with patents and preventing Medicare from negotiating drug prices. Meanwhile, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) claims pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurers are to blame for blocking competition and driving up costs. Basey also criticizes PBMs for prioritizing profits over patient affordability. Express Scripts has reported lowering out-of-pocket costs for members, but transparency and accountability in the prescription drug industry remain major issues that Congress must address through legislation.
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Who Is Responsible for the High Cost of Prescription Drugs? One Advocate Weighs In
