Year-end Watchdog Report - Brand name drug prices continue to rise

For the past seven years brand name drug prices have out-paced inflation, according to AARP's year-end Watchdog Report. John Rother, director, Policy and Strategy, AARP: "AARP has been tracking brand name and generic drug prices since 200. And we find that the prices have been going up between two and three times the rate of inflation for brand named drug." But, generic drug prices have stayed steady and in some cases have even seen a drop in cost. John Rother, director, Policy and Strategy, AARP: "Consumers can get a much better value off of generics drugs whereas brand name drugs have to carry all this huge marketing overhead and as a result the gap between the two is widening in price." The cheaper the drug the more likely Medicare participants won't reach the dreaded donut-hole, forcing them to pay higher prices for their prescription drugs.