WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued by David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, in response to President Biden’s July 9 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy:
“We applaud President Biden for promoting competition to drive true innovation and lower prescription drug prices for Americans. This executive order is another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to providing relief to patients struggling to afford their prescription medications. We look forward to working with HHS and the FTC as they craft their plans to fulfill the requests in the order.
“The president’s executive order included a restatement of his call for comprehensive legislation, including allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Both avenues — executive action and legislative solutions — can contribute to the reforms we need to ensure we get the innovation we need at prices patients can afford.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Committee on Oversight and Reform released a new report today demonstrating that Big Pharma’s argument that the industry requires high drug prices to develop meaningful innovation is simply untrue. The report finds that 14 pharmaceutical corporations spent $56 billion more on stock buybacks and dividends than on research and development from 2016 to 2020.
Today’s press call, hosted by Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney alongside Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Peter Welch, highlighted patient advocate Lynn Scarfuto, a retired nurse and cancer patient who faces a $14,000 price tag for her cancer medication, Imbruvica. The report finds that even if the pharmaceutical industry were to see a decrease in revenue due to drug pricing reforms like H.R. 3, which would allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices for Americans, drug corporations could maintain or exceed current research and development levels by spending less on buybacks and dividends.
“Patients don’t buy Big Pharma’s lie that drug corporations must be allowed to dictate sky-high prices in order to drive research and development — we can have the innovation we need at prices we can afford,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Americans should not be paying almost four times what other wealthy nations pay for the same brand-name drugs. Congress must put patients first and allow Medicare to have the power to negotiate lower prices by passing H.R. 3.”
Lynn Scarfuto told the press that she is worried that she will soon lose the ability to afford her prescription.
“I don’t have the financial resources to pay for my medication — and not many people do,” said Scarfuto, from Herkimer, New York. “My inability to afford Imbruvica’s astronomical price once my assistance runs out would certainly expedite my death.”
AbbVie, the company that makes Imbruvica, made more than $4.3 billion in net revenue from Imbruvica in 2020 alone. AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez admitted that price increases that led to increased revenue had nothing to do with innovation or improvement to that drug. The new report shows AbbVie, along with other drug companies, spent more on stock buybacks and dividends than research and development every year for the past five years.
Key takeaways from the report include the following:
“Big Pharma companies, like AbbVie, want patients and Congress alike to believe that we must face high prices to fund important innovation. But that’s just not the case,” Scarfuto continued. “Congress has the power to change our broken system by passing H.R. 3 and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices so we can have the innovative medications we need at prices we all can afford. For patients like me, it is a matter of life and death.”
H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, was reintroduced in the House of Representatives in April. The chamber passed the bill in the 116th Congress. It will lower prices, rein in price gouging, and reduce out-of-pocket costs by restoring balance to the U.S. drug pricing system to ensure both innovation and affordability.
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DELAWARE — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a campaign encouraging Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) to support legislation to lower drug prices by allowing Medicare negotiation. The push began on July 2 and includes TV ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy, in which patients will write and call Senator Carper directly.
“In the last year, 1 out of 4 Delaware families could not afford their prescription medications,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Delawareans are depending on Senator Carper to help by ensuring Medicare can negotiate lower drug prices.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden recently released his guiding principles for drug pricing reform. It is expected that the Finance Committee’s bill will be considered for inclusion in the Democrats’ reconciliation budget package later this year.
“As the Senate Finance Committee develops detailed legislative proposals, we need Senator Carper to lead on drug pricing reform that will deliver the innovation patients need at prices we can afford. We can have both,” Mitchell continued.
The campaign includes a new video ad featuring multiple sclerosis patient and registered nurse Therese Ball from Ogden Dunes, Indiana. To manage her symptoms, Ball is prescribed Tysabri, which is priced at $7,463 each month.
“As a nurse, I had patients who struggled to pay for their prescription drugs. When I was diagnosed with MS, I became one, too. The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 every month,” Ball, a grandmother and retired nurse, says in the video ad. “I can’t afford these prices. I had to ration and skip doses.”
“Congress is working to let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices. Ninety percent of Americans support it, and Senator Carper should, too,” the ad says. “Patients need this reform, and we need his support.”
Watch the full video ad here and view the static ad below.
The Delaware campaign is part of a national campaign calling on two key members of the Senate Finance Committee urging them to support legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. In addition to Senator Carper, the campaign calls on support for Medicare negotiation from Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
This campaign marks the launch of P4ADNow’s outreach to senators in the 117th Congress. It complements the patient advocacy group’s House campaign to support H.R. 3 first launched on May 20 with a seven-figure budget to 42 House districts across 22 states and in D.C, which then expanded last week to add two more House districts. This campaign is, in part, a counterweight to Big Pharma’s attack ads loaded with lies about H.R. 3 and included video ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy.
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NEW JERSEY — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a six-figure campaign encouraging Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to support legislation to lower drug prices by allowing Medicare negotiation. The push began on July 2 and includes TV ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy, in which patients will write and call Senator Menendez directly.
“In the last year, 2 million New Jersey families could not pay for medicine or drugs prescribed by their doctor,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “New Jerseyans are depending on Senator Menendez to help by ensuring Medicare can negotiate lower drug prices and that the savings go towards reducing costs for patients and consumers.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden recently released his guiding principles for drug pricing reform. It is expected that the Finance Committee’s bill will be considered for inclusion in the Democrats’ reconciliation budget package later this year.
“As the Senate Finance Committee develops detailed legislative proposals, we need Senator Menendez to lead on drug pricing reform that will deliver the innovation patients need at prices we can afford. We can have both,” Mitchell continued.
The campaign includes a new video ad featuring multiple sclerosis patient and registered nurse Therese Ball from Ogden Dunes, Indiana. To manage her symptoms, Ball is prescribed Tysabri, which is priced at $7,463 each month.
“As a nurse, I had patients who struggled to pay for their prescription drugs. When I was diagnosed with MS, I became one, too. The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 every month,” Ball, a grandmother and retired nurse, says in the video ad. “I can’t afford these prices. I had to ration and skip doses.”
“Congress is working to let Medicare negotiate lower drug prices. Ninety percent of Americans support it, and Senator Menendez should, too,” the ad says. “Patients need this reform, and we need his support.”
Watch the full video ad here and view the static ad below.
The New Jersey campaign is part of a national campaign calling on two key members of the Senate Finance Committee urging them to support legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. In addition to Senator Menendez, the campaign calls on support for Medicare negotiation from Senator Tom Carper (D-DE).
This campaign marks the launch of P4ADNow’s outreach to senators in the 117th Congress. It complements the patient advocacy group’s House campaign to support H.R. 3 first launched on May 20 with a seven-figure budget to 42 House districts across 22 states and in D.C, which then expanded last week to add two more House districts. This campaign is, in part, a counterweight to Big Pharma’s attack ads loaded with lies about H.R. 3 and included video ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy.
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CALIFORNIA — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a campaign calling out Reps. Scott Peters (CA-52) and David Valadao (CA-21) for threatening to block Medicare negotiation bill H.R. 3, and calling on them to support the legislation that would lower drug prices for Californians. The patient advocacy group also extended its campaign thanking Reps. Josh Harder (CA-10) and Mike Levin (CA-49) and urging Reps. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Lou Correa (CA-46) to support H.R. 3. The campaigns include TV ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy, in which patients will write and call their members of Congress directly asking them to support plans to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices — a policy supported by 90 percent of Americans.
“Reps. Peters and Valadao have a choice — they can continue to do the bidding of Big Pharma, or they can stand with California patients by supporting Medicare negotiation and H.R. 3,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Instead, they are currently attempting to block legislation that could save the lives of 94,000 Americanseach year. As Therese Ball, a multiple sclerosis patient, says in the ad, ‘It’s unforgivable.’ Reps. Peters and Valadao can still do the right thing and stand up to Big Pharma by endorsing H.R. 3, which will deliver the innovation we need at prices we can afford.”
Reps. Peters and Valadao have both refused to support H.R. 3, a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Rep. Peters touted his support for the bill in 2019 but more recently has come out in opposition, even threatening to derail his party’s budget bill if it includes the legislation. Rep. Valadao has taken over $100,000 from pharmaceutical manufacturers over his years in Congress and refuses to take any stance on drug pricing policy, including H.R. 3.
“Rep. Peters supported H.R. 3 before receiving over $239,000 in contributions from the pharmaceutical and health products industry. Now he opposes H.R. 3; voters can draw their own conclusions about his motivations,” Mitchell said.
The campaign kicks off with videoads featuring multiple sclerosis patient and registered nurse Therese Ball from Ogden Dunes, Indiana. To manage her symptoms, Ball is prescribed Tysabri, which is priced at $7,463 each month.
“As a nurse, I had patients who struggled to pay for their prescription drugs. When I was diagnosed with MS, I became one, too. The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 a month,” Ball, a grandmother and retired nurse, says in the video ads. “Members of Congress are choosing Big Pharma over patients. It’s unforgivable.”
Watch the ad for Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) here.
Watch the ad for Rep. David Valadao (CA-21) here.
P4ADNow also launched ads calling out Reps. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Kurt Schrader (OR-05), who have refused to endorse H.R. 3.
P4ADNow launched its first campaign directed towards the 117th Congress on May 20. The national campaign had a seven-figure budget and called for support of H.R. 3 in 42 House districts across 22 states and in D.C. It expandedlast week, adding two more House districts. The campaign is, in part, a counterweight to Big Pharma’s attack ads loaded with lies about H.R. 3 and includes video ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy.
H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, was reintroducedin the House of Representatives in April. The chamber passed the bill in the 116th Congress. It will lower prices, rein in price gouging, and reduce out-of-pocket costs by restoring balance to the U.S. drug pricing system to ensure both innovation and affordability.
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OREGON — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now announced the launch of a campaign calling out Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-05) for threatening to block Medicare negotiation bill H.R. 3, and calling on him to support the legislation that would lower drug prices for Americans. The new push began on July 2 and includes TV ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy, in which patients will write and call Rep. Schrader directly asking him to support plans to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
“Rep. Schrader has a choice — he can continue to do the bidding of Big Pharma, or he can stand with patients by supporting Medicare negotiation and H.R. 3,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Right now, Rep. Schrader is attempting to block legislation that could save the lives of 94,000 Americans each year. As Therese Ball, a multiple sclerosis patient, says in the ad, ‘It’s unforgivable.’ But he can still do the right thing by endorsing H.R. 3, which will deliver the innovation we need at prices we can afford.”
Rep. Schrader has refused to support H.R. 3, a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, in this Congress. He originally said he was proud of his vote in support of H.R. 3 in 2019, but since then has raised concerns about the legislation, even suggesting Congress take a less “robust”approach to drug pricing reform, contrary to the wishes of 90 percent of Americans.
The campaign kicks off with a new video ad featuring multiple sclerosis patient and registered nurse Therese Ball from Ogden Dunes, Indiana. To manage her symptoms, Ball is prescribed Tysabri, which is priced at $7,463 each month.
“As a nurse, I had patients who struggled to pay for their prescription drugs. When I was diagnosed with MS, I became one, too. The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 a month,” Ball, a grandmother and retired nurse, says in the video ads. “Members of Congress are choosing Big Pharma over patients. It’s unforgivable.”
“Ninety percent of Americans want Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, but Rep. Kurt Schrader is working to block it,” the ad says. “Tell him to do the right thing and support the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.”
Watch the video ad here and view the static ad below:
P4ADNow also launched similar ads calling out Reps. David Valadao (CA-21), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Richard Hudson (NC-08), who have also refused to endorse H.R. 3.
P4ADNow launched its first campaign directed towards the 117th Congress on May 20. The national campaign had a seven-figure budget and called for support of H.R. 3 in 42 House districts across 22 states and in D.C. It expandedlast week, adding two more House districts. The campaign is, in part, a counterweight to Big Pharma’s attack ads loaded with lies about H.R. 3 and includes video ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy.
H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, was reintroducedin the House of Representatives in April. The chamber passed the bill in the 116th Congress. It will lower prices, rein in price gouging, and reduce out-of-pocket costs by restoring balance to the U.S. drug pricing system to ensure both innovation and affordability.
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NORTH CAROLINA — Patients For Affordable Drugs Now announced the launch of a campaign calling out Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) for opposing Medicare negotiation bill H.R. 3, and calling on him to support the legislation that would lower drug prices for Americans. The patient advocacy group also extended its existing grassroots campaign, in which patients will contact Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Kathy Manning (NC-06) to thank them for supporting the legislation.
“Rep. Hudson has a choice — he can continue to do the bidding of Big Pharma, or he can stand with patients by supporting Medicare negotiation and H.R. 3,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Instead, he is attempting to block legislation that could save the lives of 94,000 Americans each year. As Therese Ball, a multiple sclerosis patient, says in the ad, ‘It’s unforgivable.’ Rep. Hudson can still do the right thing by endorsing H.R. 3, which will deliver the innovation we need at prices we can afford.”
Rep. Hudson took more money from pharma than any other member of the House of Representatives during the 2020 election cycle. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, he has taken many opportunities to attackH.R. 3.
The campaign kicks off with a new video ad featuring multiple sclerosis patient and registered nurse Therese Ball from Ogden Dunes, Indiana. To manage her symptoms, Ball is prescribed Tysabri, which is priced at $7,463 each month.
“As a nurse, I had patients who struggled to pay for their prescription drugs. When I was diagnosed with MS, I became one, too. The medications I need to live are priced at over $7,000 a month,” Ball, a grandmother and retired nurse, says in the video ads. “Members of Congress are choosing Big Pharma over patients. It’s unforgivable.”
“Ninety percent of Americans want Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, but Rep. Kurt Schrader is working to block it,” the ad says. “Tell him to do the right thing and support the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.”
Watch the video ad here.
P4ADNow also launched similar ads calling out Reps. David Valadao (CA-21), Scott Peters (CA-52), and Kurt Schrader (OR-05), who have also refused to endorse H.R. 3.
P4ADNow launched its first campaign directed towards the 117th Congress on May 20. The national campaign had a seven-figure budget and called for support of H.R. 3 in 42 House districts across 22 states and in D.C. It expandedlast week, adding two more House districts. The campaign is, in part, a counterweight to Big Pharma’s attack ads loaded with lies about H.R. 3 and includes video ads, digital ads, and grassroots advocacy.
H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, was reintroducedin the House of Representatives in April. The chamber passed the bill in the 116th Congress. It will lower prices, rein in price gouging, and reduce out-of-pocket costs by restoring balance to the U.S. drug pricing system to ensure both innovation and affordability.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued today by Patients For Affordable Drugs Now:
“We want to thank Senator Casey’s office for engaging in conversations with us and reiterating his long-standing support for Medicare negotiation. We appreciate his continuing commitment to a strong Senate Finance Committee drug pricing bill, including an effective approach to Medicare negotiation that will lower prices for Americans. As a result, we are suspending advertising and other activities in Pennsylvania that were announced yesterday. We regret any misunderstandings on our part and look forward to working with Senator Casey and his office to achieve our mutual goals in the weeks and months ahead.”
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