Allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices is the most widely supported initiative to lower high drug costs among Americans, according to a new survey from Kaiser Family Foundation.
The survey, conducted April 17-23, polled a nationally representative sample of 1,171 adults. KFF asked respondents to share their views on nine different policy actions to lower high drug costs.
A majority of respondents favored every policy action except one, which called for patients to pay a larger share if they choose a high-cost drug over a similar, cheaper version, according to the survey.
Here is a breakdown of public support for each action policy by political party.
1. Allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to get a lower price on medications for Medicare recipients
Democrats: 96 percent
Republicans: 92 percent
Independents: 92 percent
2. Making it easier for generic drugs to enter the market to increase competition and reduce costs
Democrats: 84 percent
Republicans: 91 percent
Independents: 91 percent
3. Requiring drug companies to release information on pricing practices to the public
Democrats: 84 percent
Republicans: 84 percent
Independents: 88 percent
4. Limiting the amount drug companies can charge for high-cost treatments, such as hepatitis or cancer drugs
Democrats: 78 percent
Republicans: 79 percent
Independents: 79 percent
5. Creating an independent group that oversees the pricing of prescription drugs
Democrats: 74 percent
Republicans: 71 percent
Independents: 74 percent
6. Allowing Americans to buy prescription drugs imported from Canada
Democrats: 66 percent
Republicans: 75 percent
Independents: 77 percent
7. Allowing Americans to buy prescription drugs from online pharmacies based in Canada
Democrats: 73 percent
Republicans: 59 percent
Independents: 68 percent
8. Eliminating prescription drug ads
Democrats: 59 percent
Republicans: 53 percent
Independents: 59 percent
9. Encouraging people to buy cheaper drugs by requiring them to pay a higher share if they choose a similar, higher cost drug
Democrats: 40 percent
Republicans: 57 percent
Independents: 60 percent
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