Prescription drugs can be expensive, especially for patients who need to take them long-term. The long-term effects of these drugs are still unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding their use. According to Michael Dickstein from NYU Stern School of Business, the additional costs of prescription drugs need to be weighed against the savings from improved health outcomes. Dickstein suggests that with a significant discount, such as 50 percent off the cost of the drugs, the healthcare system could actually save money as a result of these treatments. This indicates the importance of finding ways to reduce the cost burden of these drugs in order to make them more financially viable for patients and the overall healthcare system. Currently, insurers and payers negotiate discounts with drug manufacturers but this does not offset completely all costs associated with prescription drugs.
