Congrats! If you’re reading this, you made it through Friday the 13th. Welcome to the Week in Review!
1. Keep Your Word
- Democratic and Republican candidates across the country were elected after promising to lower drug prices, and now, a new ad from Patients For Affordable Drugs Now calls on them to uphold their commitments when they take office. Americans can’t wait any longer for drug pricing reform. It’s time for Congress and President-elect Biden to get the job done. — (FiercePharma)
2. Getting Rich Quick
- Pharma executives can’t resist cashing in on a crisis. After Pfizer’s stock value surged upon news of the efficacy of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, CEO Albert Bourla sold $5.6 million worth of stock. Taxpayers around the world have funded numerous vaccine candidates in an effort to beat COVID-19, and drug company executives are using the opportunity to profiteer on a pandemic. — (NPR)
3. We’re Kept in the Dark
- In response to public pressure for transparency into government spending, drug makers with Operation Warp Speed contracts for COVID-19 vaccines are releasing the terms of their agreements. Some contracts are missing standard taxpayer protections on drug pricing. The public deserves more transparency from the government for deals involving billions of taxpayer dollars. It’s our right to know how our investments are being used. — (NPR)