Medicare released their list of costliest drugs for 2015. The increase in drug costs over the recent years has started an intense discussion regarding healthcare. The purpose behind the list is to provide transparency to consumers regarding the prices of prescription drugs. It’s important to know that the drugs that made the list were given through Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D is the prescription coverage provided by Medicare. The goal is to subsidize the cost of the prescriptions to make them more affordable for Medicare recipients.
Nexium
Nexium is a prescription medication used to treat heart burn and GERD. Around 1.5 million patients received Nexium through Medicare D. Patients paid around $250 each year and the federal government paid $2.6 billion. Nexium and Prilosec are a form of heart burn medication known as a PPI. Recently, PPIs were linked to kidney disease. If you were injured after taking Nexium, contact a drug injury lawyer to find out if you should file a lawsuit.
Advair Diskus
Advair Diskus is a prescription medication given to patients with asthma and COPD. Almost 1.5 million people were able to get their prescriptions for the Advair Diskus filled as recipients of Medicare Part D. Patients pay around $265 each year. The federal government paid more than $2.2 billion.
Abilify
Abilify is an antipsychotic that’s used for personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It’s also the subject of lawsuits because of injuries reported by patients. If you were hurt as a result of taking Abilify, contact a drug injury lawyer to find out if you are eligible to file a lawsuit. Around 400,000 patients received Abilify through Medicare Part D. On average, they paid $552 each year for the medication. The federal government paid $2.5 billion.
Spiriva
Spiriva is used by patients with lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. More than one million people were prescribed Spiriva and used Medicare Part D to pay for a portion of it. Patients paid approximately $317 each year. The federal government paid $2.1 billion.
Lantus Solostar
Lantus Solostar is another medication for patients with Diabetes. Almost one million patients received access to this drug through Medicare Part D. Patients paid around $369 each year for Lantus Solostar. The federal government paid in excess of $2 billion.
Lantus
Lantus is a prescription to lower blood sugar for patients with Diabetes. Almost 800,000 people accessed Lantus through Medicare D. Patients spent around $379 each year. The government paid around $1.7 billion.
Januvia
Januvia is a prescription used to lower blood sugar in patients with Diabetes. Almost 800,000 people received Januvia using Medicare D. Patients spent around $351 each year and the federal government paid more than $1.7 billion.
Revlimid
Revlimid is a prescription drug used to treat anemia in patients with certain blood or bone disorders. Almost 30,000 people accessed Revlimid through Medicare D. Patients spent, on average, around $4,000 each year and the government paid more than $1 billion.
Nationwide Drug Injury Lawyers
If you were hurt by taking a prescription drug, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to be compensated for your injuries. Contact the drug injury lawyers at Goldwater Law Firm for your free case review.