17158. THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. This paper provides an overview and analysis of the problem of prescription drug costs as well as consideration of the steps that might be taken to address the problem. Following an overview of the scope and components of the problem, the analysis looks at some fo the major reasons behind the high costs of prescription drugs, including the traditional reasons offered by the drug industry and the reasons suggested by consumer advocates and analysts outside of the pharmaceutical industry. Various ideas for controlling prescription drug costs and/or for solving the problem are considered and discussed. The concluding section makes recommendations on the adoption of specific measures aimed at addressing the problem. Written 2003. 11 pages; 34 footnotes; 28 bibliographic sources. 3,450 words.