Alex*, a 38-year-old woman living in the Washington, D.C., area, spends $400 or more a month on prescription medications to treat ADHD, anxiety, depression, and high cholesterol. And this steep monthly cost is an improvement for her: "I was previously spending $500 or more," she tells PS.
"I definitely have to budget for this each month, the same as I do for car insurance or my mortgage," Alex says. "I make sure that's factored in before I pay off my credit card and put money into savings."
While Alex says that it "sucks to spend this much," she also notes that she's grateful that the medications are available to help treat her health complications. But she's not alone in dealing with the burden.
Decades of research have shown that women and men tend to have different experiences with the healthcare system. Women are twice as likely as men to have their pain brushed off by healthcare professionals, and even have to wait longer to be seen in the ER. Now, there's one more imbalance to add to the mix: Women, like Alex, spend much more on prescription medications than men.
That's the major takeaway from a new GoodRx report. The report analyzed healthcare data from 2024 and found that American women collectively spent $8.8 billion more out of pocket than men that year. That's nearly 30 percent more than their male counterparts, highlighting a huge difference in what the sexes pay for healthcare.
The report shows that women tend to spend more on prescription medications across the board. But the differences are biggest when it comes to acne treatments (103 percent more), anxiety medications (103 percent more), migraine medications (351 percent more), and dry eye medications (326 percent more).
So why does this financial disparity exist in the first place? We tapped healthcare researchers for answers.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Courtney Yarbrough is an assistant professor at Emory University and researcher who focuses on health policy and the economics of healthcare.
Tony Y. Yang is a healthcare researcher and associate dean for Health Policy and Population Science at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
Why Do Women Spend More Money on Prescription Medications?
It's important to point out that women aren't paying more for the exact same medications as men. Instead, they're being prescribed and using these drugs more than their male counterparts. "It's very much a volume or utilization issue," says Courtney Yarbrough, an assistant professor at Emory University and researcher who focuses on health policy and the economics of healthcare.
There are a few reasons for this. "It's not because women are splurging at pharmacies for pleasure - far from it," says Tony Y. Yang, healthcare researcher and associate dean for Health Policy and Population Science at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Instead, women are more likely to see the doctor, fill prescriptions, and stay on top of chronic and mental health conditions, he says. "They may also be more adherent to medications once they're prescribed them," Yarbrough says.
But women also have to deal with recurring costs linked to female health concerns men don't face, like birth control, menopause, endometriosis, and postpartum depression, Yang says. He calls this an "extra layer" to the infamous "pink tax" women face, which is the tendency for products and services marketed toward women to be priced higher than similar options marketed toward men, even though they're often the same thing.
"Women aren't just paying more for razors; they're paying a premium simply to maintain their health and wellness," Yang says.
It Only Becomes More Common With Age
Unfortunately, this is "very common," especially in younger and middle-aged women, Yarbrough says. "As men and women get older, they accrue more chronic conditions and are more likely to see specialists," she says. "But younger and middle-aged women are dealing with a lot of issues that require them to use medications - contraceptives and drugs related to pregnancy, postpartum depression, hormone therapy for menopause, and medications to maintain bone density."
Mental health medications are also a big spending category for women. "Women are more likely to seek help for those issues and to receive prescriptions for those medications - and to take them," Yarbrough says.
The only demographic where men outspend women is in kids under the age of 18. "That's likely due to higher prescription rates for conditions like ADHD among boys," Yang says. "So, yes, it's incredibly widespread and deeply embedded in our healthcare system."
How to Save Money on Prescription Medications
There's only so much women can do to save money on prescription medications when they need them. "It's not like women are taking drugs that are inappropriate for them," Yarbrough points out. However, she and Yang say there are a few things women can do to try to save on prescription medications whenever possible.
Look closely at your insurance coverage. "Oftentimes there are therapeutic classes of drugs that are substitutable, and some of them may have lower out-of-pocket costs," Yarbrough says. If you know you have consistent prescription medication costs that are unlikely to change any time soon, Yang also suggests taking a closer look at your coverage and alternative plans. Some other options may offer lower prescription costs that could ultimately help you to save. Consider generic options. Sure, most people are aware of this, but Yarbrough says it's worth asking your doctor upfront if there's a generic substitution when they recommend a medication. "I've been prescribed several other medications previously, and each time I'm always asking if there's a generic," Alex says. It's also worth noting that some medications may not have generic options at first, but that can change over time, Yarbrough says. If you've been on a medication for a while, check back in with your doctor to see if a cheaper, unbranded option is available. "You won't automatically be transferred over to a generic version when it becomes available," Yarbrough says. "You need to request it." Look into company deals. Some pharmaceutical companies will offer special coupon programs or discounts to make their medications more affordable. Ask your doctor if a particular medication you're taking has this, or simply look it up online. Consider third-party deals. Health insurance usually drives down the cost of prescription medications, but it's not always a given. Yarbrough recommends double-checking what you'd pay out of pocket at websites like GoodRx to make sure you're getting the lowest price possible. "Some prices may be better out of pocket than what someone would pay with insurance," she says. See if you can get your medication in bulk. "Buying medications in larger supplies - such as 90-day prescriptions instead of monthly refills - can result in substantial savings, much like shopping wholesale for household goods," Yang says. (Note: Not all medications can be prescribed this way, but it's worth asking.)Alex stresses that she's thankful that medications exist to treat her health conditions, but she wishes they weren't quite so expensive. "For me, true peace of mind and health is worth the cost, but I would much rather be saving that money for retirement, home upgrades, or a vacation," she says.
*To protect the identity of this source, we have only used their first name.
Korin Miller is a writer specializing in general wellness, health, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in Women's Health, Self, Health, Forbes, and more.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Prescription Refills Are the Pink Tax No One Talks About )
Also on site :