Health officials push for fewer medications to lower costs, but critics blame high drug prices.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The fight to bring down prescription drug prices is taking a new turn — and not everyone’s on board with the approach.
Health officials say one way to lower drug costs is for Americans to take fewer medications.
They say the best way to save money is to avoid getting sick in the first place — by eating better and exercising.
But experts warn that oversimplifies the issue.
One CDC report finds 3 in 4 U.S. adults had at least one chronic disease in 2023.
And the prevalence in young adults is climbing – up from 52% to 59% in the last 10 years.
While studies show healthier people have lower medical costs —
Critics say blaming patients misses the bigger issue: the prices set by drugmakers.
The U.S. has some of the highest drug prices in the world. And even if people take fewer prescriptions, companies can still raise prices.
One report found drugmakers raised prices on 963 name brand drugs in January 2025. That is up from 896 the year before.
Many of those are drugs that people need for chronic issues like diabetes and heart conditions.
Experts agree that healthy habits help — but say medication is often essential, and drug pricing still needs major reform.
