the rising prices of prescription drugs for older americans june 2002 bitter pill a r e p o t b y families usa publication no 02 104 by foundation 1334 g street nw washington dc 20005 phone 202 628 3030 fax 347 2417 mail info familiesusa org this is available online at www drug introduction rescription expenditures are fastest growing component health care spending since 1995 national on has grown over 10 percent every year more than double rate growth hospital or physician and clinical services 1 three trends have been driving rapid sustained number prescriptions per person increasing newer higher cost replacing less costly medications latter trend become increasingly important one third increase in from 2000 to 2001 was directly attributable increases 2 affect all purchasers
