Over Half of US Population Concerned About Prescription Drug Access, Prices
Wolters Kluwer Health conducted a survey of just over 1000 respondents to get US adults’ feelings about notable trends in the pharmacy industry.
Patient attitudes toward medication access have been significantly impacted due to the implications of rising drug costs and the complexity of the health care environment, especially the prescription drug supply chain. Based on Wolters Kluwer Health survey data, 59% of the US population is concerned about easily accessing their medications within close proximity, while others are using technology to meet their needs on their own.1
“Consumers continue to adjust to changes in where and from whom they get care. With the attrition of chain- and community-based pharmacies, our survey suggests that changes in where consumers fill prescriptions can be added to the list,” said Peter Bonis, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Wolters Kluwer Health.
Conducted from July 10 to 15, 2024, the Pharmacy Next survey included a total of 1002 US adults 18 or older. | image credit: Duygu / stock.adobe.com
Known as Pharmacy Next: Health Consumer Medication Trends, this is the third installment of Wolters Kluwer Health’s consumer survey, revealing overall changes in the pharmacy and retail health care industries. From the impacts of pharmacy closures to the lack of movement in universally lowering drug prices, patients expressed their opinions on the current landscape of the drug supply chain.
Conducted from July 10 to 15, 2024, the Pharmacy Next survey included a total of 1002 US adults 18 or older. To offer representative insights for the whole US population, results were weighted by age, gender, household income, and education.
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First addressing pharmacy deserts and access to medications in the US, respondents were asked about their concerns with accessing medications close to home. Store closures of the top pharmacy brands—CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens—are predicted to surpass 2500 within the next few years and patients are concerned about how that will impact access.2
“Against a backdrop of chain drugstores like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens announcing a combined, estimated 2,600 store closings, 59% of Americans worry about obtaining medications close to home. While internet mail-order pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) can serve as an alternative to brick-and-mortar pharmacies, the Pharmacy Next survey revealed that only 16% of those surveyed prefer using online pharmacies, signaling an undiminished demand for in-person care options as more stores close,” wrote authors of the Wolters Kluwer news release.1
These results show a clear shift in the industry away from brick-and-mortar stores to more mail-order services, but consumers are not quite ready to follow suit. Furthermore, pharmacy closures have been compounded with both a rise in drug pricing as well as an increase in drug shortages, leaving 32% of survey respondents to say drug shortages impacted their overall access to medications.
“Despite 52% of respondents saying the cost of their prescriptions has increased in the past few years, the percentage represents a decline compared to 2023, when nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) reported their medication prices had increased in the previous year. To help manage these costs, 44% of Americans report turning to prescription coupon sites like GoodRx, suggesting consumers are more actively seeking ways to manage medication costs,” they continued.1
While pharmacy closures and deserts have had an immense impact on medication access, it’s the cost of medication that has reached a boiling point in the US. This led to provisions under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 designed to lower health care costs for older adults seeking medical services and prescription drugs. With a myriad of businesses entering and operating within the drug supply chain for a profit, legislation like the IRA is sometimes necessary in order to force change noticed by patients.
With drug price negotiations and out-of-pocket caps going out to Medicare Part D enrollees as soon as 2025, the issue of increasing drug prices has been noticed and work is being done to correct it. However, when it comes to drug shortages, supply chain experts might need to rethink the way we distribute medication.
Stephen Schondelmeyer, PharmD, PhD, FAPhA, Professor & Director at PRIME Institute, presented on drug shortages and the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) found in our prescriptions at the 2024 Developments in Pharmacy Law Seminar. He discussed both the upstream and downstream supply chains, showing that 100% of our brand-name prescriptions are repackaged, branded, marketed, and distributed in the US. However, their ingredients, chemical make-up, and overall creation are conducted elsewhere, mainly in China and India.3
Outside of the potential downfalls within the supply chain that can lead to increased drug prices and decreased access, survey respondents highlighted how they are adapting using technology. With the health care system lagging behind on patients’ needs, consumers are using technology to leave out the middle man and leveraging innovation to increase affordability and access to care.
“Three out of 4 Americans (74%) are open to using QR codes or links to online information as an alternative to multiple-page medication information printouts…Americans however still express resistance to medication drones, with only 2 in 5 (39%) open to ‘drugs by drone,’” continued the news release.1
Amidst evolving technologies, legislation, and industry trends, health experts are working to relieve patients of their high-cost, low-access burden of receiving prescription medication. As pharmacies fight for better reimbursement and patients fight for lower drug prices, these systemic industry trends will continue until a major event or piece of legislation drastically increases medication access.
“Additional results of the Pharmacy Next: Health Consumer Medication Trends survey reveal the profound impact that recent changes in the health care landscape have had on consumers,” concluded the news release.1
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