A Reuters analysis found the median annual price of 13 new drugs for chronic conditions launched in the US this year is $257,000. This comes on the heels of the passage of recent legislation that is partially directed at lowering drug prices, but not limiting what pharmaceutical companies can charge for new drugs, potentially shifting the cost of new drugs to the taxpayers or employer sponsored health plans. Drug manufacturers are being very guarded with regard to releasing information and data related to drug development, pricing and costs. The costs of the new drugs will be primarily absorbed by CMS and commercial health plans/self-funded ERISA plans.