As more drugs enter the market with five-figure annual list prices, a large share of Medicare's drug spending is going toward these "ultra-expensive" treatments, according to research published June 7 in Health Affairs.
The study found that Medicare Part D’s share of annual spending on ultra-expensive drugs increased by 1,170 percent between 2012 and 2018, largely because more beneficiaries were prescribed such drugs during this time period.
The researchers said their findings underscore a national conversation about ultra-expensive drug's sustainability and affordability.