Unnecessary drug regulations hiking Rx prices in USA: NCPA Study

As drug coverage increases as a result of expanded health insurance and Medicaid coverage under the USA’s Affordable Care Act, unnecessary regulations will increase prescription drug costs, according to a new study from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

"Sixty percent of all Americans take a prescription drug in any given year, and nearly all seniors do," said NCPA Senior Fellow Devon Herrick, adding: "Drug coverage is expanding rapidly and heightened regulatory scrutiny will prevent drug plans managers from holding down costs for consumers with programs such as creating exclusive networks and encouraging mail-order prescriptions."

Mr Herrick said there are many barriers, regulations and practices that restrict competitive bidding among drug plan stakeholders, noting the following: