US seniors cut back on drugs, AARP warns

The AARP, which represents US senior citizens and is one of the largest advocacy groups in the country, has published details of a nationwide survey to determine how people aged 45 and older are responding to the current economic slowdown. The main finding is that a majority of those 45 or older believe the economy is in bad shape and that many have adapted their spending behavior. Two thirds of respondents (66%) reported having difficulty paying for food, gas, utilities and prescription drugs. Cutting back on medicines was cited more often as an option chosen by 45-55 year-olds than by the over 65s, partly reflecting the safety net provided by the Medicare Part D prescription drug program (Marketletters passim). However, the AARP arguesthe older generation had already cut its spending providing less margin to do so at present.