ANN ARBOR—New drug developments allow people to live longer and healthier lives, but mixed with other factors, they boosted drug spending by 17 percent last year nationwide.

The increase in prescription drug costs is causing the University of Michigan to raise the co-pay for prescriptions from $5 to $7 for generic drugs and $10 to $14 for brand name drugs effective Jan. 1 for U-M employees.

A series of public hearings will allow U-M faculty, staff and members of the community to express their viewpoints to members of the University’s Prescription Drug Work Group.

Upcoming Work Group hearings:

• 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the U-M Alumni Association Founder’s Room;

• 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the U-M Hospital Ford Auditorium;

• 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 14 at the U-M Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar Room;

• 3-4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the U-M-Flint University Center Building Michigan Room D.

The Benefits Office projects that the University’s prescription drug costs will total about $29 million for 2000. U-M Provost Nancy Cantor and U-M Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Kasdin started the Prescription Drug Work Group 2002 to reach out to the University community to understand their needs and interests.

If you would like to make a statement at one of the public hearings, register in advance by e-mail to Jackie: [email protected]. Include your name, the date of the public hearing you want to attend and a daytime phone number. You