Struggling Prescription Affordability Increases among U.S. Citizens

Struggling Prescription Affordability Increases among U.S. Citizens

The financial strain of prescription medications continues to be a significant issue for numerous American households in 2025, impacting health, financial stability, and access to care.

## Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence

According to a survey conducted in May 2025, approximately one-third of U.S. adults have taken cost-saving measures in the past year, such as not filling a prescription, skipping doses, or substituting with over-the-counter medications due to cost concerns. One in five adults (21%) admitted to not filling a prescription due to cost, while nearly one in seven (15%) reported cutting pills in half or skipping doses to save money.

## Disparities in Financial Impact

Women, Hispanic adults, and those with low incomes are disproportionately affected by the financial burden of medications. For example, 39% of women, 46% of Hispanic adults, and 41% of those with household incomes under $40,000 have taken cost-saving actions, compared to 29% of White adults and 29% of those with higher incomes. Adults with chronic conditions are also particularly vulnerable, as they are twice as likely as those without such conditions to have delayed or gone without prescriptions due to cost.

## Health and Economic Consequences

Cost-related nonadherence can lead to health care gaps, worsening symptoms, and long-term complications as patients delay or skip needed medications. The high cost of medications not only affects individual health but also places a broader economic burden on households, forcing many to reallocate family budgets away from other essentials in order to afford prescriptions.

## Policy and Market Responses

Recent federal government efforts aim to address prescription drug costs, including executive orders in April and May 2025 that focus on accelerating approval of lower-cost drugs and promoting drug importation and anti-competitive measures. However, the real-world impact of these regulatory moves on household budgets remains uncertain.

## Summary of Key Findings

| Behavior | Prevalence (%) | Most Affected Groups | |--------------------------------------------|---------------:|-------------------------------------| | Did not fill prescription due to cost | 21 | Low-income, Hispanic, chronically ill| | Cut pills/skipped doses | 15 | Women, low-income | | Any cost-saving measure | 33 | Women, Hispanic, chronically ill |

## Conclusion

In 2025, the financial burden of prescription medications continues to strain American households, especially those with chronic conditions, lower incomes, or limited insurance coverage for medications. Cost-related nonadherence remains alarmingly common, with significant disparities among demographic groups. While policy efforts to lower drug prices are underway, immediate relief for most affected households has not yet materialized. The persistent gap in prescription coverage highlights the need for more comprehensive solutions to ensure affordable access to essential medicines.

1. In an attempt to address the financial strain, various workplace-wellness programs have started focusing on promoting health and wellness, providing education on medical-conditions like chronic-kidney-disease and type-2-diabetes.
2. Many employers have incorporated fitness-and-exercise programs into their wellness initiatives, recognizing the importance of maintaining cardiovascular-health in managing such chronic-diseases.
3. As part of the holistic approach, mental-health initiatives are also increasingly being included in these programs, recognizing the interplay between physical and mental well-being.
4. Therapies-and-treatments for both physical and mental health are being emphasized, with evidence-based approaches being favored for their effectiveness.
5. Nutrition plays a vital role in managing chronic-diseases, and nutrition education is becoming a key component of these workplace-wellness programs.
6. Beyond physical health, the impact of financial stability on overall well-being is being recognized, with financial-wellness programs being offered to help employees manage their personal-finance, saving, and debt-management.
7. Wealth-management services are being provided to help employees plan for their long-term financial goals, including retirement and wealth accumulation.
8. The high cost of prescriptions has led many to turn to alternatives like CBD, which is being researched for its potential benefits in managing chronic-diseases.
9. However, the use of CBD and other alternative therapies is not without its risks, and it's crucial for employees to understand the potential side-effects and interactions with other medications.
10. In the realm of cancer treatment, advancements in science continue to offer new hope, but the associated costs can be prohibitive.
11. Medicare reform has been a hot topic, with discussions centering around providing comprehensive coverage for essential treatments like cancer.
12. The cost of cancer treatments has led to a significant strain on household budgets, necessitating then, the need for budgeting and financial planning.
13. Education-and-self-development programs are being introduced to help employees improve their productivity and career-development prospects, enabling them to earn more and thus, manage their financial obligations better.
14. Job-search assistance is also being provided to help employees find better-paying jobs, reducing their financial burden and improving their access to affordable healthcare.
15. Goal-setting workshops are being conducted to help employees set and achieve financial and career goals, fostering a sense of personal-growth and empowerment.
16. Skills-training programs are being offered to help employees develop new skills, increasing their employability and earning potential.
17. Sports, such as football, have become a popular means of fitness and team-building within the workplace, with many companies sponsoring teams in local leagues like the NFL.
18. Sports-betting, while controversial, has gained popularity as a form of entertainment, with some companies offering small office pools.
19. In the face of ever-rising costs, weather forecasting skills have become valuable for those looking to save money on utilities by finding the best times for sports-analysis and energy consumption.

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