41.   Economists say the introduction of expensive new drugs along with strong demand by aging baby boomers accounts for the continued rise in prescription drug costs.

42.   Gore discusses senior citizen health issues and rising prescription drug costs in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

43.   He offered a general outline of his Medicare reform plans, restating his campaign promises on the topic, but promised quicker relief for high prescription drugs costs.

44.   High prescription drug costs and the addition of uninsured children to Medicaid rolls, said Kathy Gifford, state Medicaid director.

45.   His strongest fire was aimed at those critical of his plan to expand Medicare to cover prescription drug costs.

46.   Lawmakers blamed the overruns on higher Medicaid prescription drug costs, a larger prison population in county jails and bad budget assumptions by two state agencies.

47.   Like the Democrats, Republicans envisions government subsidies for lower-income older people as well as those with unusually high prescription drug costs.

48.   Older Americans would get pharmacy discount cards next year under a White House proposal aimed at providing quick relief from high prescription drug costs.

49.   Some pharmacists disapproved of the policy and only added a penny extra to the prescription costs.

50.   The Alliance for Retired Americans is being launched this week with a new study criticizing pharmaceutical companies for rising prescription drug costs.