7 Reasons Why Prescription Drug Prices Are Extremely Expensive

Spending on prescription drugs increased by 3.8% in 2016, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. While that's slower growth than the 5.2% year-over-year increase experienced in 2015, spending is still headed in the wrong direction. Using data from 2014, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) -- the trade group for health insurers -- estimates that over 22% of health insurance premium goes to paying for prescription drugs.