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From the Center for Studying Health System Change:

State Prescription Drug Price Web Sites: How Useful to Consumers? examines the current push to make retail pharmacy prices accessible to consumers, which is part of a much broader movement to increase price transparency throughout the health care sector. To aid consumers in comparing prescription drug costs, many states have launched Web sites to publish drug prices offered by local retail pharmacies. This study found that relying on Medicaid data resulted in extensive gaps in available price information and hampered the effectiveness of state drug price-comparison web sites. (February 2008)

From Express Scripts:

Geographic Variation Trends in Prescription Use: 2000-2006 provides state-specific information for prescription use for seven major therapy classes: antihyperlipidemics (for high cholesterol), antidiabetics, antihypertensives (for high blood pressure), gastrointestinal (for stomach and intestinal problems), antidepressants, analgesics/anti-inflammatories (painkillers), and estrogen. The study found a dramatic increase in the use of these drugs, especially in Southern states, and the cost to U.S. plan sponsors and their members was more than $12 billion. (January 2008)

From USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health:

The Public on Prescription Drugs and Pharmaceutical Companies survey found that Americans value the health benefits of prescription drugs, but they believe drugs cost too much. The survey also provides information on Americans’ views on and experiences with prescription drugs and the pharmaceutical industry, such as safety issues and government regulation. (March 2008)