Asthma Patient Dies After Inhaler Price Skyrockets, Sparking Outrage and Calls for Reform
A tragic case is highlighting the devastating impact of rising prescription drug costs in the United States. Cole Schmidtknecht, a 22-year-old with asthma, died just days after discovering the price of his life-saving inhaler had inexplicably soared, leaving him unable to afford it.
Schmidtknecht, living in Appleton, Wisconsin, had been diligently managing his asthma with a prescription inhaler. Previously, the medication cost him under $70, a manageable expense. However, during a routine refill attempt, he was shocked to find the price had jumped to an astonishing $375. This sudden and drastic increase rendered the inhaler financially out of reach.
“He called me, frantic,” said Schmidtknecht's mother, unaware of the extent of the financial burden her son faced. “He said, ‘Mom, I can’t afford my inhaler. What am I going to do?’”
Unable to secure the medication he needed to prevent asthma attacks, Schmidtknecht's condition rapidly deteriorated. Despite attempts to seek alternative solutions, he tragically passed away just days later. His family believes the inability to access his prescribed inhaler was a direct contributing factor to his death.
The Rising Cost of Asthma Medications: A Growing Crisis
Schmidtknecht's story is not an isolated incident. The cost of asthma medications, particularly inhalers, has been steadily increasing, placing an immense strain on patients and families across the country. Several factors contribute to this crisis, including pharmaceutical company pricing strategies, lack of price transparency, and limited competition in the market.
According to a recent study by Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 1 in 4 Americans report difficulty affording their prescription medications. For those with chronic conditions like asthma, which require ongoing medication, the financial burden can be particularly crippling.
Calls for Action and Reform
Schmidtknecht's death has ignited outrage and fueled calls for immediate action to address the affordability crisis in prescription drugs. Advocates are urging policymakers to implement measures such as:
- Price controls: Limiting the amount pharmaceutical companies can charge for medications.
- Increased price transparency: Requiring drug manufacturers to disclose the costs associated with developing and marketing their products.
- Negotiating drug prices: Allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, as is common in other developed countries.
- Promoting generic drug competition: Encouraging the development and use of lower-cost generic alternatives.
“Cole’s death should serve as a wake-up call,” said a spokesperson for a patient advocacy group. “We cannot continue to allow individuals to die because they cannot afford the medications they need to live.”
The Schmidtknecht family is now advocating for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. Their heartbreaking story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive prescription drug reform in the United States.