US: Report reveals striking gender device in prescription medication spending

Women shoulder a significantly greater out-of-pocket cost burden than men when it comes to prescription medication spending, according to a US report.

The data shows that in 2024, women spent $8.8 billion – or 30 per cent – more than men on out-of-pocket prescription costs.

Combined with the common responsibilities of managing a career, family planning, and caregiving, women are left frustrated with the financial pressure required to maintain their health.

Though the “pink tax” is often thought about as higher prices on consumer goods, the research suggests that it also manifests itself in the hidden costs of healthcare.

Higher healthcare utilisation, higher rates of chronic conditions, and spending on female-specific conditions like women’s fertility and menopause contribute to this imbalance.

Women are filling more prescriptions than men, but forgoing treatment isn’t more cost effective in the long run, either.

If left untreated, many of the conditions women are proactively managing can be debilitating, interrupting their lives and work, and necessitating more serious and expensive medical interventions down the line.

Tori Marsh, MPH is Director of Research at GoodRx which authored the report.

Marsh said: “Though we typically think of the ‘pink tax’ as an upcharge on goods and services, these latest findings illustrate how the spending gap between men and women transcends grocery store shelves, with women paying a premium just to maintain their health.

“This gender inequality leaves women with a greater financial burden, potentially requiring women to choose between their own health and other recurring expenses.

This can lead to more serious health issues and create extra strain–not just on individuals–but on the healthcare system as a whole.”

The report found that women spent 30 per cent more out-of-pocket than men last year, a trend that has remained consistent over recent years.

Menopause treatments, for example, cost an average of $16.95 per prescription.

Conditions that demand specialised treatments, like endometriosis and morning sickness, require an even more substantial spend ($29.38 and $37.87 per prescription, respectively).

Women ages 18 to 44 spend up to 64 per cent more out-of-pocket on medications than men of the same age group. As they age, the gap gets smaller.

Women ages 45 to 64 spent 35.3 64 per cent more than men in 2024, and women over 65 spent 16.5 64 per cent more.

According to the report, women also spend 113 64 per centmore out-of-pocket on depression medications and 103 64 per cent more on anxiety treatments than men.

These disparities are likely driven by both higher prescription fill rates and systemic factors, such as differences in how mental health conditions are diagnosed and treated between genders.