Policy Issue: Costs of drugs in the United States as compared to other countries.
Instructions:
You will be working on a group project that has three parts. Choose a name for your group. You need to divide the work and make accommodations if someone gets sick or has family issues. Part of Interprofessional practice is being able to identify policy issues and develop strategies to facilitate needed changes and bring these issues to the public’s attention. This generally cannot be done alone. Working as a group is more effective in bringing about change. As an advanced practice nurse you need to start incorporating activism into your practice.
Use the template and work as a group to complete the contract and submit in the unit 10 group area.
Unit 3 Assignment: You will do your work on a template.
1. Each member of the group must identify their state legislators’ addresses and phone numbers. I am living in Virginia Shereen
2. The group will decide on a policy issues that needs to be addressed.
Policy Issue: Costs of drugs in the United States as compared to other countries.
3. The group will write a letter to one of the legislators outlining what the issue is and why it is important. The letter will address:
- The current policy structure.
- The need for the change.
- The role the nurse as a change agent will take at the policy table.
- Title page- each member listed along with their portion of the assignment
- Page 1-Each member of the group must identify their state legislators’ addresses and phone numbers at the beginning of the letter as outlined in the template
- Paragraph 3-Cost Implications if the change is implemented- Shereen Robinson
- Paragraph 4-The role the nurse as a change agent will take at the policy table- Shereen Robsinson
- APA will be each individual’s responsibility to correct –not the leader. Remember each paragraph needs to be supported with source support and at least 5 sentences in length
***Cooperates in group and assists with assignments-I will be able to determine by the time each
Solution.
Policy Issue: Costs of drugs in the United States as compared to other countries.
Office of Governor Terry
McAuliffe
State Capitol
Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804/786-2211
Fax: 804/371-6351
Dear Sir,
RE: COST OF DRUGS IN THE UNITED STATES COMPARED TO OTHER STATES
We take this opportunity to bring to your notice our concern for the poor citizens who cannot afford drugs at the current high costs. The costs of drugs in the United States have been skyrocketing over the years and are currently too high compared to those of other developed countries. It is our hope that you will take a look at our comparison and do something about it.
Drugs are manufactured for the enhancement of life through the treatment of diseases and relieving of pain. Once these drugs are made too expensive, it means that the common citizen cannot afford them, and therefore cannot enjoy the privilege of an enhanced life free from pain. The most shocking thing is that this situation is only witnessed in the United States. In other countries, similar drugs are much cheaper and can be afforded by all citizens. For example, Celebrex is a drug commonly prescribed for the relief of pain. In Canada, the drug is bought at only $51 per month, however, in the United States, the drug is sold from $139 to $431 per month (International Federation of Health Plans (IFHP), 2013).
Taking a close look at the example, it is clear that the costs of drugs are currently double to triple of the cost of drugs in Canada. 2013 Comparative Price Report also highlights that the prices in the UK are also much lower than those in the US. Changes must therefore be implemented to make the cost of drugs affordable to all Americans. When the drugs are made cheaper, it will be easier to treat even the poor patients, because they will be able to afford the medical services. Many patients currently have to endure extreme pain because they cannot afford the drugs, some even end up dying from curable diseases, just because the required medication are too expensive (Gibson, 2015).
As nurses, we understand that it is our duty to advocate for the
change, be the drivers of the change. However, we believe that, with your
support, we will be successful in causing the transition that will ensure that
all citizens get affordable drug prices. We will lead peaceful demonstrations
and mobilize the local people by enlightening them about the high contrast that
exists in the drug prices between the developed countries. We will also
approach the stakeholders in the health sector and ask them to support our
movement. One reason for the drastic increase in the US drug prices is the high
rate of updating new drugs in the country (Kanavos, P. et al., 2013). We will
contact the department of health to request them to formulate policies that can
bar industries from updating new drugs at that alarming rate. It is also
important for us to make deals with health care centres where we will ask them
to reduce their internal pricing. With all these strategies in place, and with
your assistance, we believe that we will be successful in giving the Americans
affordable healthcare. Thank you.
References
International Federation of Health Plans (IFHP). (2013). 2013 Comparative Price Report: Variation in Medical and Hospital Prices by Country. Available at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/518a3cfee4b0a77d03a62c98/t/534fc9ebe4b05a88e5fbab70/1397737963288/2013+iFHP+FINAL+4+14+14.pdf
Gibson, R. (2015). Drug Prices in the US are Literally Insane When Compared to Other Nations. U.S. Uncut. Available at http://usuncut.com/news/us-drug-prices-in-the-us-are-literally-insane-when-compared-to-other-nations/
Kanavos, P. et al. (2013). Higher US Branded Drug Prices And Spending Compared To Other Countries May Stem Partly From Quick Uptake Of New Drugs. Health Affairs 32.4: 753-761.