buggyone - i believe the problem [or part of it - at least for me] was that the pharma cos RAISED the prices on the medications prior to the implementation of this agreement. the increased prices enabled the payment of the $80 bil!

my medications rose to off-the-wall prices - and i am NOT on medicare plan d! am not on medicare - and won't be for a while! i am fortunate that i found a grocery chain that offers some of my prescriptions at reduced cost - but not all of them!