Between the Friends reunion and pharma’s lies about H.R. 3’s impact on innovation, it sure feels like deja vu.Welcome to the Week in Review.
- Momentum Grows
- This week, 156 House Democrats — 70 percent of the House Democratic Caucus — signed a letter urging the Biden administration to include Medicare negotiation in the American Families Plan. Meanwhile, President Biden doubled down on his support of proposals to lower drug prices in his 2022 budget released Friday. The momentum for passing meaningful reforms clear — Congress, the president, and patients agree that lowering drug prices must be a top priority this year. Together, we’ll fight to get it done. — (The New York Times)
2. Pharma Giant At It Again
- Just as the House Oversight and Reform Committee released its reporton the abusive pricing practices of pharma giant AbbVie, the company is helping to bankroll enormous lobbying efforts to block comprehensive drug pricing legislation in Congress. Big Pharma claims its high prices fund innovation, but it’s clear high prices reap enormous profits for the industry — and Big Pharma doesn’t want to see an end to those anytime soon. — (Salon)
3. Negotiation Works
- The success of COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution in the United States is a testament to how government investment and price negotiation can rapidly bring patients the drugs we need without sacrificing innovation, according to a new op-ed by Harvard economist Richard Frank and Mark Miller of Arnold Ventures. “Negotiation accompanied by infrastructure and innovation investments can balance both the budget and the need for scientific breakthroughs, making innovative therapies accessible and affordable,” the authors write. “Americans deserve better than what they are currently getting.” — (The Hill)