People living with serious or life-threatening illnesses are cheering a new federal effort to lower prescription drug costs.
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced the first 10 drugs that may be up for price negotiations with manufacturers.
Kevin Richardson is battling life-threatening health problems and welcomes any effort to cut costs.
Richardson said, “You know, you have to get up the next day and eat it or if you finish, you don’t know what’s going to happen the next day.”
Richardson is unemployed and his mother takes care of her son’s survival.
“Without insurance, it’s really expensive,” Richardson said. “One of those bottles [medication] is $1,000.”
The high cost of drugs means it’s difficult for patients to make choices each month, according to Christina Dreyer, a registered nurse. Mercy and Truth Medical Mission.
“If you’re on Medicare or Medicaid, your budget is limited and they choose to eat or take your medications for a month, and unfortunately the option isn’t going to be the medications,” Dreyer said. “You can’t stand it, then if the blood clots in them, they’ll have a stroke.”
Mercy & Truth Medical Mission serves the underinsured or uninsured by providing affordable access to quality health care.
Pharmacist Michael Fink knows the impact of lower costs will be felt by the people he sees every day.
“This could save them up to $1,200 in co-pays per year, and if there is a significant reduction, they could potentially see a reduction in premiums as well,” he said.
This story was originally published by Leslie Delasbour Scripps News Kansas City.