The continue rise in prescription drugs costs has touched off intense public debate on how best people can get some relief. Some politicians and consumer groups have pushed for some form of price controls. Drug companies oppose price regulations. They contend it would restrain innovation in an industry that invests billions of dollars annually on research.

Joe Madera, a retired man in his late 60s living in Pomona, CA, pays more than $250 a month out of pocket for prescription drugs to maintain his diabetes under control. Medicare covers his doctor bills and any hospital visits, but the federal health program does not cover prescription. While this man's household income is fixed, the cost of his medication just keeps going up.

Most Americans do not feel the increase in drug prices directl

y because they purchase prescription medicines through their employee health plans or their HMOs, where they do not pay the full price, often making only a $10 or $20 co-payments. The rise in drug prices does hit this group indirectly. Many health insures have blamed higher drug cost as the reason behind hikes in medical premiums or restriction of benefits.

The nonstop rise in prescription drug cost has affected many people; especially older Americans who live on fixed income. People whose health depends on special medications are the most affected by this trend. Are there legitimate reasons behind this trend? Many people ask. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries in America. So are drug prices inflated? Joe Madera, like many other older Americans is fed up. "The situation is really discouraging," he says. The Federal government needs to step up and impose some kind of price control. In addition to that, politicians have to find the way to give to people like Joe Madera some relief.

One reason why retail prices are going up is hat the new generation of drugs is expensive to produce. The cost of research and developments are high. Creating a complex, genetically engineere

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