WASHINGTON (AP) - The cost of medicines used by many older Americans
rose faster than the rate of inflation last year, an advocacy group
said Tuesday. Wholesale prices for 50 prescriptions frequently used
by seniors rose by 3.9% last year, reported Families USA, an advocacy
group that supports President Clinton's proposal to add a
prescription drug benefit to Medicare. Government figures show
overall inflation rate at the retail level was 2.7% last year. Prices
for all prescription drugs jumped 5.8%, government figures show.
Families USA zeroed in on medicines most important to seniors to
highlight what its officials say is the need for a broad drug
insurance program that will help all elderly Americans - who are
living longer and whose doctors are increasingly treating with drugs
- to deal with soaring prices at the pharmacy window. See
http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2566003003-73a
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Barbara Patterson [log in to unmask]
HSC 2J22 905-525-9140, ext. 22403
School of Nursing
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