More Americans Support Government Limits on Prescription Drug Pricing

Prescription drug manufacturing company Eli Lily announced last week that it was cutting the price of some of its insulin products. This comes after a public pressure campaign called “very successful” by Democratic senator Bernie Sanders when individuals who depends on the drug were being forced to ration or go without it due to the cost and rising inflation. 

According to a new poll by Economist/YouGov, many Americans have forgone prescribed medications due to the cost. 37% say they haven’t filled a prescription due to cost and another 10% would rather not say. Women (43%) and people with income under $50,000 (44%) are especially likely to say so. Republicans and Democrats are equally likely (39%/38%) to have experienced this.

53% of Americans know someone on insulin, 5% say they use it personally. Democrats in Congress-including Sanders- introduced legislation to restrict the price of insulin at no more than $20 a vial, following the announcement from Eli Lily.

73% of Americans strongly or somewhat support the limitation on drug companies charging more for insulin. Only 16% strongly or somewhat oppose. Similar majorities would like the government to limit costs on other dugs as well including, cancer medications (74%), blood thinners (72%) and antidepressants (69%). Regardless of if they have personally had trouble affording prescription drugs, Americans generally support the government negotiating with insurance companies to make drugs more affordable. At a ratio of three to one (61% to 20%), Americans support the government negotiating drug prices with insurance companies and more support Medicare negotiating it drug costs , 66% to 20%. 

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