1. “I live, battle, and conquer sickle cell”
- A new Patients For Affordable Drugs Action ad features Floridian Clayton “DJ” Martin, who shares his worries about high drug prices and urges voters to support candidates who will take action to lower prices. The ad is part of a 15-state campaign to elevate the issue of drug prices across the country. We are grateful to DJ and all patient advocates for their tireless work to stand up to Big Pharma. — (Florida Politics)
2. Called to the Stand
- Six pharma executives representing some of the biggest names in the drug industry are testifying in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform next week. The committee’s probe on unethical and anti-competitive drug pricing practices continues the important work of its late chairman, Rep. Elijah Cummings. We’ll be watching the hearings, and we look forward to getting some long-awaited answers. — (FiercePharma)
3. Dubious Discount
- President Trump announced Thursday that he will send $200 discount cards to 33 million Medicare beneficiaries. Had he kept his commitment to lower drug prices, he wouldn’t need to promise some Medicare beneficiaries a dubious discount card days before an election. Americans need systemic, enduring drug pricing reforms, not election-year gimmicks. — (STAT)
4. The System is Rigged
- The entire drug pricing system is broken, from drug companies that set ever-increasing list prices to pharmacy benefit managers that keep rotating formularies. And who’s paying the price? Patients, who often face uncertainty and exorbitant drug costs at the pharmacy counter. It’s long past time for change. — (The New York Times)
5. Her Story, Her Voice, and Her Vote
- Patient advocate Ramae Hamrin, a Minnesota resident who has multiple myeloma, is sharing her story to push for drug pricing reforms that will benefit us all. “Even if you are not in my shoes at the moment, you or someone you love could also be one step away from losing everything in order to simply stay alive. I’m more than happy to bring a face to the unfairness and high cost of prescription drugs for all of us in hopes that something can be done. It has to be.” — (Incurable Blessings)