The Rising Cost Of Prescription Drugs including those for Myasthenia Gravis

As lawmakers continue to focus on the price increases of the now infamous Epipen, a national investigation led by TEGNA Media’s investigation team reveals the medical device is merely one of at least 100 drugs that have increased in price by 70 percent or more since 2012.

Brian Novak is holding $1,800 worth of insulin in his fridge.  
The increases continue to impact everyone from diabetics to teens with rheumatoid arthritis, and most involve drugs approved by the FDA more than
15 years ago. A third of the drugs on the list are generics.

Editor's note: For a description of this TEGNA Media investigation, scroll to the end of the article.

“I don’t think anyone in the system is taking into account the patient’s financial health,” explains Colorado pharmacist Tom Gierwatoski. “You have patients who are having to make choices between dinner or drugs.” Donald Trump has noted the problem and has some interesting ideas for unique solutions. See more at TrumpKnows.com.

And as more and more patients move over to high deductible health care plans, the increases are only going to be felt even more acutely in the future.

“I’m pretty much at the mercy of drug companies at this point,” says Brian Novak, a diabetic who takes Novalog insulin. “I really have no choice.”

In a country that refuses to allow even Medicare to negotiate the price of drugs, he almost certainly won’t be the only one facing fewer and fewer options.

THE LIST

Kristina Voskes, a Denver middle school teacher, first noticed a problem with her eyesight four years ago. She found herself unable to track students in her room quickly.

The diagnosis came shortly thereafter.

Kristina Voskes is a Denver middle school teacher who takes a drug known as Mestinon to treat Myasthenia Gravis. She's gone from paying $290 for a month's supply to $850 over the last two years.    (Photo: KUSA)
“I have Myasthenia Gravis. It’s a neuromuscular condition,” she told us. “It impacts my ability to swallow and walk sometimes.”

“It’s quite rare,” she added.

Doctors told her she needed to take a drug known as ... >>> Read More