Final answer:
In 2017, some of the most costly prescriptions concerned Medicare's prescription drug benefit, with costs projected to rise significantly due to policies established in 2003. The scarcity of prescription pain pills and the opioid epidemic also influenced prescription costs and healthcare dynamics. These issues illustrate the complex interplay between prescription drug policies and public health outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question posed addresses the issue of prescription drug costs, which has been a significant concern in recent years, particularly in the context of the Medicare prescription benefit. The introduction of the Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2003, as passed by Congress and signed by President George Bush, was a critical policy development aimed at assisting elderly patients with their medication costs. The program entailed out-of-pocket premiums and deductibles for beneficiaries, with the federal government covering 75 percent of prescription drug costs up to a certain limit. This initiative was fueled by strong political pressure and the influential lobbying of organizations such as the AARP. However, expansive coverage coincided with inflated prescription drug costs, causing substantial financial burden to the federal government, with total costs rising to potentially $121 billion by 2016.
Meanwhile, a distinction must be made between the legal prescription medication market and the illicit drug trade. Actions taken to limit the supply of prescription pain pills had unintended consequences, particularly in the opioid epidemic, which saw an increase in the use of illegal alternatives such as heroin and synthetic opioids like Fentanyl. This led to a dramatic increase in drug overdoses and illustrates the complex relationship between prescription drug policies, costs, supply, and public health outcomes. Prescription opioids have been costly not only in financial terms but also in terms of public health and safety.