AARP Launches ‘Stop Rx Greed’ Campaign Targeting High Prescription Drug Prices

AARP on Tuesday announced the launch of ‘Stop Rx Greed,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. According to the release, the goal of AARP’s sustained campaign is to help drive down drug prices for Virgin Islanders and all Americans by advocating for a variety of legislative, executive, and regulatory actions at both the federal and state level.

“Virgin Islanders should not have to choose between taking their medication and buying food or paying their electric bill,” said Troy A. de Chabert-Schuster, state director of AARP in The Virgin Islands. “All aspects of healthcare, including medication, should be affordable for all people.”

As part of the campaign, AARP Research conducted a national survey of likely voters ages 50 and older, the release said. The survey found that significant majorities of self-identified Republican, Democrat, and independent voters shared concerns about the high price of drugs, and support common-sense policies that will lower prices. Survey findings include:

• 72 percent say they are concerned about the cost of their medications.
• 63 percent say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable.
• 90 percent support allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
• 80 percent report taking at least one prescription medication.
• Nearly 40 percent say they did not fill a prescription provided by their doctor with cost being the most common reason.

“We invite all Virgin Islanders to call upon our Delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett, to work for a reduction in the cost of prescription medication. We also ask you to encourage our local elected officials to find solutions within the Territory,” Mr. de Chabert-Schuster said.

The Stop Rx Greed campaign will include national television, radio and digital ads, editorial content, emails to members, social media posts, ongoing advocacy and grassroots activity in D.C. and the states, and a petition calling on Congress and the Administration to take action now. As part of the campaign, AARP will push for support of a number of policy solutions at the national and state level to help lower drug prices, including:

• Allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices.
• Allowing states to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.
• Giving state Attorneys General authority to crack down on outrageous price increases.
• Clamping down on pay-for-delay and other loopholes that keep lower cost generic drugs off themarket.
•  Capping consumers’ prescription drug out-of-pocket costs.
• Preserving state pharmacy assistance programs.

For more about Stop Rx Greed, visit www.aarp.org/rx.