The number of adult Americans diagnosed with common chronic diseases is growing at rates that are four to five times the rate of population growth.

As America’s population ages, the prevalence of chronic conditions is growing dramatically. This means that growth in health care expenditures will continue to outpace normal inflationary spending growth. Managing chronic conditions in ways that avoid or reduce disability and institutionalization are essential in allowing America’s seniors to live independently and in ensuring the future financial sustainability of publicly funded health benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

New medicines play an essential role in managing the impact of chronic disease. Chronic disease management programs that educate and engage patients in the self management of chronic conditions are effective in improving health outcomes and in lowering hospital and other health service utilization. Key elements of successful chronic disease management programs are ensuing access to and the appropriate use of effective new medicines.