Part D drug prices grew faster than inflation

According to a report from Families USA, Medicare Part D drug prices grew almost four times faster than inflation from April 2006 to April 2007. The report found that the median Part D drug price for the top 15 drugs prescribed in the program increased on average 9.2%. The study noted that a year's supply of 200-mg Celebrex (celecoxib, Pfizer) rose in price from $946.44 to $1,033.32, an increase of 9.2%, while the 10-mg dose of Lexapro (escitalopram, Forest) increased 15%. The Families USA report examined changes in the lowest drug prices charged by the five largest insurers covering more than 65% of beneficiaries: UnitedHealthcare, Humana, WellPoint/Unicare, Member Health, and WellCare. Consumer health organization FamiliesUSA has been a frequent critic of the Medicare Part D program.

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