Spending on Prescriptions, Kids’ Medication Up in 2009
In 2009, overall U.S. prescription drug spending rose by 3.7%, while spending on medications for children increased by 10.8%, according to a new report by Medco Health Systems. The report, which was based on information collected from pharmacy benefit manager Medco's 200 largest clients, found that the higher spending was caused by a 1.3% rise in drug use and a 2.4% increase in unit cost.
- "Spending on Drugs for Kids Rose 10.8% Last Year: Medco Report" (Wilde Mathews, "Health Blog," Wall Street Journal, 5/19).
- "Prescription Drug Spending Up 4%" (AP/USA Today, 5/19).
- "Prescription Drug Use by U.S. Children on the Rise" (Berkrot, Reuters, 5/19).