The Change Mariner

Feeling the pain of drug costs

San Jose Mercury News:

In most respects, the three medications couldn't be more different.

One treats allergies and is regularly promoted on television. Another is for male impotence and has spawned a new genre of off-color jokes. The third, for halting arthritis, is an exotic product of biotechnology.

But Claritin, Viagra and Enbrel combine to tell the story of how and why prescription drug prices are rising -- and how consumers are now, more than ever, feeling the financial pain.