Drug affordability refers to the ability of individuals to pay for medications without financial strain. It is influenced by factors such as the price of drugs, insurance coverage, and income levels. When medications are too expensive, patients may skip doses or forgo treatment, leading to worse health outcomes. Efforts to improve drug affordability include government regulations, price negotiations, and the introduction of generic drugs. Organizations like Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America work to balance innovation with access, while advocacy groups push for policies that ensure all patients can obtain necessary medications at reasonable prices.