Connecting Real-World Data and Domain Expertise to Enhance Trial Design and Planning

Rising prescription drug spending is a major concern for policymakers in California. In the California Health Care Foundation’s 2023 Health Policy Survey, 20% of Californians reported that they did not fill a prescription due to cost, a figure that rises to 33% for individuals who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level; 16% of Californians reported cutting pills in half or skipping doses to save money. Nationally, 20% of adults who take between one to three prescription drugs have difficulty affording their medications, a number that increases to 32% for individuals who take four or more medications. A December 2022 report from the California Department of Managed Health Care found that health plans in the state paid approximately $10.8 billion for prescription drugs in 2021. This represents $2.1 billion in additional spending compared to 2017, a 22% increase.