Real Stories, Real People
Patient advocacy has been at the heart of our mission since P4AD’s founding in 2016. By organizing patients and amplifying their personal stories, we shine a light on the real-world cost of high drug prices. These powerful testimonies reveal the struggles faced by individuals who navigate the complexities of our broken prescription drug system.
Through organizing patients and amplifying their personal stories, we demonstrate the urgent need for change and influence policymakers to take action. By centering the voices of those most harmed, we aim to drive systemic reforms that make medications affordable for everyone in the United States.
I am a retired nurse living with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis for over 40 years. Last year, I paid over $9,000 alone for my Enbrel prescription. Then came the 2022 prescription drug law, and now my out-of-pocket costs are capped at $3,300 this year, saving me over $7,000. The impact of these changes can not be overstated as my husband and I can now breathe easier.
Judy AikenPortland, ME
Hi, I’m Lisa McRipley, a multiple sclerosis activist. Managing MS comes with staggering costs—my therapies can exceed $100,000 a year, and I’ve spent over $10,000 annually on prescriptions. Starting in 2025, the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap will save me at least $6,000 a year and, more importantly, restore my self-reliance.
Lisa McRipleyRichmond, TX
Hi, I’m Kevin Baker, a 22-year-old college student from Moscow, Idaho. I’ve lived with Crohn’s disease since I was 11. My current medication, Rinvoq, has a list price of $6,431, and past treatments like Remicade, Humira, and Stelara range from $1,100 to $14,000 per month before insurance. I believe life-saving medicine is a human right.
Kevin BakerMoscow, ID
My out-of-pocket drug costs for my multiple myeloma could get up to $21,000 a year. My energy to fight my cancer was diverted to finding ways to pay for my prescriptions. But on New Year’s Day, when everybody was celebrating the New Year, I actually celebrated my first fill of prescriptions, knowing that because of the 2022 prescription drug law, the $3,300 I paid was going to be my total for the year
Jackie TrappMuskego, WI
Before the insulin cap from the 2022 prescription drug law, I was one of the people struggling to afford their insulin as my Lispro and Lantus would cost me around $1,300 a month. But thankfully, that is all different now and I only pay $35 per month. I know I can access my insulin at a low cost.
Kaye PetersonLebanon, KY
Hi, I’m Aly Elbaga, an 82-year-old retired chemist from Old Bridge, New Jersey. I rely on Medicare and take Eliquis, Trelegy, and Propafenone for my heart condition, but their high costs eat up more than half of my Social Security income. These prices are unsustainable and unfair—not just to me but to so many others.
Aly ElbagaOld Bridge, NJ