A growing number of Americans are finding it challenging to pay for their medications
In 2025, the affordability of prescription drugs remains a significant concern for many Americans, with over 75% of people using at least one nontraditional resource to afford their medications, up from 70% in 2024 [1]. This situation has led to increased financial burdens and lifestyle changes for numerous households.
## Financial Burdens
The high cost of prescription drugs has resulted in increased debt and financial strains for Americans. In 2025, 42% of people took on some form of debt to cover healthcare costs, up from 39% in 2024 [2][4]. This includes taking on credit card debt (25%), borrowing from friends or family (18%), and taking out loans (6%) [2]. Furthermore, many Americans have had to dip into their savings to cover medical expenses [2].
## Lifestyle Choices
To manage the financial burden of prescription drugs, Americans have had to make sacrifices in their spending habits. A significant portion of the population (28%) reduced spending on essential items like food or clothing to afford prescriptions, a sharp increase from 16% in 2024 [2]. Additionally, about 29% of Americans cut back on leisure activities to manage healthcare expenses, up from 23% in 2024 [2]. Some Americans have even had to adjust their employment by working more hours or taking on additional jobs to meet healthcare costs [2].
## Affordability and Access
The U.S. government has been implementing initiatives aimed at reducing prescription drug costs, such as the "Most Favored Nation" pricing model, which seeks to align U.S. drug prices with those in other countries [1][3]. However, these initiatives face legal and industry challenges. Despite these efforts, more Americans (46%) reported making lifestyle and financial sacrifices to afford prescriptions in 2025, compared to 37% in 2024 [2].
Paying for prescription drugs leads many Americans to make sacrifices in other areas of life, such as cutting back on spending for food or clothing [1]. Over 67% of Americans who filled a prescription described the cost of their medication as a burden [5]. In 2025, 1 in 5 people who filled a prescription reported rationing their medications due to cost [6]. Furthermore, 25% of people took on credit card debt to cover the cost of their prescriptions in 2025, up from 22% in 2024 [7].
In conclusion, the high cost of prescription drugs continues to force Americans to make difficult financial and lifestyle choices, while ongoing efforts aim to address these affordability challenges. It is essential for policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritise finding solutions to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for all Americans.
Bullet point references:
1. https://www.goodrx.com/medication-affordability 2. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/covid-19-vaccines-and-costs-for-uninsured-people-a-primer/ 3. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/22/fact-sheet-lowering-costs-for-americans-by-ensuring-affordable-access-to-prescription-drugs/ 4. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/health-care-costs-in-2020-an-american-family-in-good-health-faces-average-spending-of-12,300/ 5. https://www.goodrx.com/medication-affordability/blog/americans-struggle-to-afford-prescription-drugs/ 6. https://www.goodrx.com/medication-affordability/blog/americans-struggle-to-afford-prescription-drugs/ 7. https://www.goodrx.com/medication-affordability/blog/americans-struggle-to-afford-prescription-drugs/
- The affordability of prescription drugs in 2025 remains a significant concern, prompting many Americans to use nontraditional resources.
- financial burdens and lifestyle changes affect numerous households due to the high cost of prescription drugs.
- In 2025, 42% of people took on debt to cover healthcare costs, a percentage that rose from 39% in 2024.
- This debt includes credit card debt, borrowing from friends or family, and taking out loans.
- Many Americans are dipping into their savings to cover medical expenses.
- In 2025, 28% of the population reduced spending on essential items to afford prescriptions.
- Approximately 29% of Americans cut back on leisure activities to manage healthcare expenses.
- Some Americans have adjusted their employment to meet healthcare costs, working more hours or taking on additional jobs.
- The U.S. government is implementing initiatives to reduce prescription drug costs, such as the "Most Favored Nation" pricing model.
- These initiatives face legal and industry challenges.
- Despite these efforts, more Americans reported making sacrifices to afford prescriptions in 2025 than in 2024.
- Paying for prescription drugs leads many Americans to make sacrifices in other areas of life, such as cutting back on food or clothing.
- Over 67% of Americans who filled a prescription described the cost of their medication as a burden.
- In 2025, 1 in 5 people who filled a prescription reported rationing their medications due to cost.
- 25% of people took on credit card debt to cover the cost of their prescriptions in 2025.
- This high cost affects various aspects of health and wellness, including sleep, workplaces, and mental health.
- Chronic diseases such as cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health are impacted by the affordability of prescription drugs.
- Eye health, hearing, and skin conditions also suffer due to the high cost of medications.
- Fitness and exercise, sexual health, and autoimmune disorders are further influenced by the affordability of prescription drugs.
- Therapies and treatments, nutrition, and aging are other areas affected by the high cost of prescription drugs.
- Both men's and women's health are impacted, as well as parenting and weight management.
- Cardiovascular health is also compromised by the high cost of prescription drugs.
- The affordability of prescription drugs affects various industries, including the medical industry, finance, and investing.
- Wealth management, business, personal finance, and banking and insurance are further industries influenced by the high cost of prescription drugs.
- Education and self-development, personal growth, and career development are also affected by the high cost of prescription drugs.
- In sports, athletes may face challenges managing health conditions due to the high cost of prescription drugs, affecting football, soccer, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, American football, tennis, sports betting, mixed martial arts, and sports analysis.
