Rising numbers of Americans are facing difficulties in paying for their medications
In a concerning trend, Americans are increasingly finding themselves in a financial bind due to the escalating costs of prescription medications. According to recent data, 42% of people reported taking some kind of financial action due to healthcare costs in 2025, up from 39% in the previous year.
The problem of medical debt, including prescription medications, has become a significant issue, with almost one in twelve Americans having medical debt in 2024. To cope with these expenses, Americans are employing a variety of strategies to make their medications more affordable.
One of the most common approaches is using discount programs and prescription coupons. Around 43% of Americans use discount programs like GoodRx or RxSaver, which help reduce out-of-pocket costs by providing coupons and lower prices on medications at pharmacies. Over a third (38%) reported using prescription discount cards or coupons in 2025.
Another strategy is obtaining free samples from healthcare providers. About 40% of people receive free samples of medications directly from their clinicians, helping them avoid immediate costs.
Shopping around or requesting alternatives is another popular tactic. Many patients shop at different pharmacies to find better prices or ask their healthcare provider for lower-cost medication alternatives or generics.
Some patients use manufacturer copay cards or low-income subsidy programs to reduce expenses, while others resort to riskier behavior due to affordability challenges. Unfortunately, cost pressure leads to 42% of Americans making changes in how they take their prescriptions, including delaying refills (16%), rationing doses (20%), or stopping medications entirely (13%), all of which can risk their health.
Some patients resort to replacing prescriptions with over-the-counter drugs or supplements (12.9%), using someone else's medications (9.5%), or purchasing drugs from other countries (5.9%). These practices, while potentially dangerous, underscore the desperation some Americans feel when it comes to affording their medications.
In response to these challenges, significant policy reforms have been put in place in 2025. Executive orders aim to cut drug prices by up to 90% through models like the Most-Favored Nation pricing, which attempts to align U.S. drug prices with those of other developed countries. This is expected to challenge traditional pricing models and intermediaries, potentially making medications more affordable in the future.
In summary, Americans are increasingly turning to discount programs, coupons, free samples, shopping strategies, and manufacturer assistance programs to manage costs, while some engage in riskier behavior due to affordability challenges. Recent government reforms also aim to systematically reduce drug prices at a structural level.
- The escalating costs of prescription medications have led many Americans to take financial actions, with 42% reported in 2025, an increase from the previous year.
- In 2024, almost one in twelve Americans carried medical debt, including prescription expenses, making it a significant issue.
- Discount programs and prescription coupons are popular strategies for reducing medication costs, with 43% of Americans using them in 2025.
- Around 38% of people in 2025 used prescription discount cards or coupons to lower out-of-pocket costs.
- About 40% of individuals receive free samples of medications directly from their healthcare providers to avoid immediate costs.
- Shopping at different pharmacies or asking for lower-cost alternatives is another common tactic employed by patients to reduce medication expenses.
- A worrying trend shows that 42% of Americans make changes in how they take their prescriptions due to affordability challenges, which can risk their health.
- Some people resort to riskier practices like delaying refills, rationing doses, or stopping medications entirely because of cost constraints.
- Replacing prescriptions with over-the-counter drugs or supplements, using someone else's medications, or purchasing drugs from other countries are practices employed by some Americans in hopes of affording their medications.
- In response to these challenges, significant policy reforms were introduced in 2025, aiming to cut drug prices by up to 90%.
- These reforms include the Most-Favored Nation pricing model, which seeks to align U.S. drug prices with those of other developed countries.
- Education and self-development are essential when it comes to managing personal finances, including health-related costs and debt management, budgeting, and career development.
- Wealth management, personal finance, saving, and job search skills training are crucial aspects of education that can contribute to a stable financial future and help alleviate the strain of healthcare costs.
