It’s madness that drug prices are still so high, but if a #15 can beat a #2, then we can beat pharma and lower drug prices for Americans.
Welcome to the Week in Review.
1. “A Clear Path Forward”
On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on high drug prices further underscored the urgent need for drug pricing reform. During the hearing, senatorsexplained how the House-passed reforms in the Build Back Better Act — which the drug lobby has spent tens of millions of dollars opposing — willhelplowerpricesforpatients. “There is just no substitute — none — for the number one reform, which is allowing Medicare to negotiate like any other payer,” said Chairman Wyden. “I see a clear path forward to deliver drug pricing reform for the American people in a way that is balanced and in a way that is fair, and I’m confident that these policies can pass through Congress and be signed into law even today,” added Senator Carper. Let’s get it done. — (P4ADNow)
2. Letters For Lower Drugs
In letters and op-eds this week, a patient, a constituent, and employers urged Congress to act quickly to lower drug prices. “As a senior living on a fixed income, I’ve had to choose between filling my Humira prescription or buying groceries. That’s a decision no one should have to make,” writes Katherine Pepper, a Washington patient who lives with an autoimmune disease. “Rising prices have been a constant problem as drug corporations have relentlessly raised prices, often higher than inflation rates, for well over a decade,” explains Virginian Dilcia Molina. “The time is long overdue for Congress to act on drug prices.” — (The Seattle Times, The Free Lance-Star, The Hill)
3. Stop Pharma Profiteering Now
A piece in The Philadelphia Inquirer lays out how drug companies and theirexecutives have raked in massive profits from taxpayer-funded COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. “Make no mistake: The effort by drug companies was hugely profitable, because the government paid for the research, removed all the risk factors and committed billions to pre-approval purchases,” author Daniel Hoffman explains. — (The Philadelphia Inquirer, CNBC, FiercePharma)
4. The High Price Of Cancer Care
A new survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network reveals that 51 percent of cancer patients and survivors have taken on debt to pay for their care, and 65 percent say they are worried about the costs of their prescription drugs. Cancer medications are among the most expensive drugs on the market — it’s more clear evidence that high prices are hurting patients. Americans deserve better. — (Axios)
5. Patient Spotlight ?
Virginia patient advocate Kat Schroeder, who lives with type 1 diabetes, was interviewed by Spectrum News on why patients need Congress to pass drug pricing reforms now. “This is my lifeline,” Kat said about her insulin, which costs about $3,300 for a three-month supply. “If I run out of insulin, I’m dead within a few days.” The drug pricing reforms being considered by the Senate will allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, including for insulin. Kat and millions of other patients are depending on Congress to fulfill their promise. – (Spectrum News)
One more thing: Good news! This week, the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee voted to advance legislation that would establish a prescription drug affordability board to tackle high drug prices on behalf of New Jersey patients.
Welcome to the Week in Review.
1. Listen To Colorado Patients
On Tuesday, Colorado patient advocates Gail deVore and Kris Garcia shared their experiences with high drug prices at a virtual roundtable with Senator Bennet and urged Congress to pass the drug pricing reforms from the Build Back Better Act. “I had to give up my dream of being a business owner because of how expensive my medications were,” said Kris, a patient who lives with several bleeding disorders, asthma, and severe allergies. “As someone who has been facing the outrageous price of insulin for decades, I can’t begin to tell you how much real, comprehensive drug pricing reform would mean to me,” shared Gail, a type 1 diabetes patient. There is a clear path forward for lawmakers to deliver lower prescription drug prices in the new reconciliation package. Patients in Colorado and across the country are demanding reforms — Congress must act now. — (P4ADNow)
2. Momentum Is Clearer Than Ever
This week, Senator Brown, a patient advocate, and a veteran wrote to their local publications in support of allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Senator Brown explains that the current ban on Medicare negotiation allows Big Pharma to price gouge for higher profits at the expense of Americans who depend on their medications. Patient advocate Therese Humphrey Ball, a retired nurse who lives with multiple sclerosis, describes forgoing her medication due to its high price. “Lowering drug prices through negotiations is a commonsense way to make medicines affordable for people on Medicare,” writes Michael Kanter, a Florida veteran. “Patients like me are counting on President Biden to make good on his promise and work with Congress to pass these reforms,” Therese urges. “We can’t wait any longer.” — (Wilmington News Journal, South Bend Tribune, Tampa Bay Times)
3. Big Pharma’s Big Money
Big Pharma continued to break records this week. The industry is spending millions on TV ads while patients are struggling to afford the very prescription drugs Big Pharma is advertising. Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Trulicity holds its winning streak with a hefty $45.8 million spend. And it’s no surprise that Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel’s pay jumped 41% to $18.2 million as the company’s COVID-19 vaccine expands globally. In the third year of a pandemic that has killed nearly 1 million Americans so far, Bancel is becoming filthy rich off a vaccine funded and paid for by taxpayers – profiteering off the pandemic at it’s finest. — (FiercePharma, FiercePharma)
HEADS UP: The Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing on the urgent need to lower prescription drug prices on Wednesday, March 16. Keep an eye out for an email from us on Big Pharma talking points to watch out for during the hearing.
Roundtable Takes Place As Senate Considers Drug Pricing Reforms In A New Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Colorado patient advocates Gail deVore and Kris Garcia will speak at Senator Michael Bennet’s virtual roundtable today at 3:00 PM MT/5:00 PM ET on the urgent need to lower the price of prescription drugs. This event takes place as the Senate considers the drug pricing reforms already passed by the House of Representatives.
“Colorado patients are fortunate that Senator Bennet is a champion in the fight to deliver relief to Coloradans and Americans who are struggling to afford their prescription drugs,” said David Mitchell, a patient with incurable blood cancer whose drugs carry a list price of more than $900,000 per year and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, ahead of the roundtable. “The drug pricing reforms under consideration by the Senate will help millions of patients by authorizing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies, limiting year-to-year price increases, and capping out-of-pocket costs for millions who are on Medicare or are insulin-dependent.”
Kris, a father of three from Denver, lives with bleeding disorders, asthma, and severe allergies and is prescribed many expensive drugs, including EpiPens and Humate-P, which costs $10,000 per vial. “The toll of having a medical condition like this is taxing enough; the financial burden only makes such a situation more stressful,” Kris will say at the roundtable. “The price of these prescriptions has affected many decisions in my life. I had to give up my dream of being a business owner because of how expensive my medications were. … My family and I will keep having to make daily sacrifices in order to make sure I have what I need to survive. … The Senate must pass these measures now to help the millions of patients in the U.S. who struggle to afford their drugs.”
“As someone who has been facing the outrageous price of insulin for decades, I can’t begin to tell you how much real, comprehensive drug pricing reform would mean to me,” Gail, a Denver patient who lives with type 1 diabetes and depends on insulin to survive, will share today. “That’s why I am so grateful that Senator Bennet is fighting to lower drug prices for all patients so we have access to the medications we need at prices we can afford.”
In his State of the Union address last week, President Biden called on Congress to lower the prices of prescription drugs by passing reforms, including allowing Medicare to negotiate. The drug pricing reforms in the House-passed Build Back Better Act are the most popular element of the package, will deliver relief to patients, and have been endorsed by all 50 Democratic senators.
Senator Bennet, Gail, and Kris will be joined by other Colorado patients and spokespeople from AARP Colorado and Colorado Consumer Health Initiative at today’s event. Reporters who are interested in attending today’s 3:00 PM MT/5:00 PM ET virtual roundtable should RSVP to [email protected]. Gail, Kris, and P4ADNow staff members are available to speak with press upon request.
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Welcome to the Week in Review.
1. “First, Cut The Costs Of Prescription Drugs”
In his State of the Union address this week, President Biden called on Congress to lower the prices of prescription drugs by passing reforms, including allowing Medicare to negotiate. He listed lowering drug prices as a key part of his plan to lower costs for Americans who are feeling the impact of inflation. Following the address, Senator Manchin offered renewed momentum for passing a reconciliation package by calling for a plan that includes lowering drug prices for Americans. The drug pricing reforms in the House-passed Build Back Better Act are the most popular element of the package, will deliver relief to patients, and have been endorsed by all 50 Democratic senators. With the Senate back in session, the moment is at hand – Congress, it’s time to act. — (CNBC, The Hill)
2. Voters Are Watching
New polling and analyses on rising drug prices demonstrate why Congress must pass the drug price reforms from the Build Back Better Act. A Morning Consult survey reveals that 9 in 10 voters consider drug prices an important issue leading up to the midterm elections, and 3 in 4 voters say that a failure to pass drug pricing reforms will impact their vote in November. Analyses released this week detail how drug companies have hiked the prices of brand-name drugs, many of which are among the most costly drugs for Medicare and bear price increases above the rate of inflation. One analysis found that if the drug pricing reforms under consideration by the Senate had been in place in 2022, drug companies would already owe more than $150 million in fines to the federal government due to price gouging. We need these reforms so we can finally hold drug companies accountable for their exploitative pricing practices and lower prices for patients and all Americans. We can’t afford to wait any longer. — (Morning Consult, Kaiser Family Foundation, AARP, West Health)
3. Seize This Moment
Opinion pieces are flooding in about the urgent need for drug pricing reform. Rep. Susan Wild wrote an op-ed this week urging her colleagues to act swiftly to lower drug prices for patients and deliver on their campaign promises. “Democrats have promised for years that we’d hold Big Pharma accountable and lower the price of prescription drugs for Americans,” Rep. Wild writes. “And now we have the opportunity to follow through on that promise.” Communitymembers, advocates, and an editorial board added their voices in support of drug pricing reforms. “There will never be a better time to deliver on their promise of fair drug prices,” writes AARP Pennsylvania state director Bill Johnston-Walsh. “Washington can’t let Big Pharma keep ripping off our seniors.” — (The Hill, Las Vegas Sun, Culpeper Star-Exponent, The Patriot-News, The Journal Inquirer)
One more thing: The non-profit drug company Civica announced a plan to manufacture and sell biosimilars of some of the most widely used insulin products at a fraction of the brand-name prices. This could be a game changer for patients who depend on insulin to live, especially for those who are uninsured.
“Let’s Let Medicare Negotiate The Price Of Prescription Drugs”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued by David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, following the president’s State of the Union address:
“Tonight, President Biden once again called for legislation to lower prescription drug prices, including Medicare negotiation. For two decades, Americans have been targeted by drug companies that established a system that prevents our government from negotiating on our behalf. It is imperative that the Senate pass a package of reforms that will couple copay and out-of-pocket caps with provisions that drive down prices by empowering Medicare to negotiate lower prices and limiting year-to-year price increases to truly lower costs — not just shift them around. Otherwise, Americans will wind up paying more through higher premiums and taxes.
“With inflation at record levels and Americans facing rising costs, Big Pharma’s price gouging forces Americans to pay almost four times what people in other nations pay for the same brand-name drugs. The drug price reforms from the House-passed Build Back Better package allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices, curb Big Pharma’s price gouging, cap out-of-pocket costs, and deliver long overdue relief to millions of Americans. The reforms have the support of all 50 Democratic senators, offering a clear path to passage through reconciliation. The provisions are the most popular element of the original package, and more than 90 percent of voters list drug pricing reform as a top issue for the midterms.
“It is time for the Senate to advance a reconciliation package with these drug price reforms. Americans need help now.”
Background:
The prescription drug pricing reforms in the House-passed Build Back Better Act would:
Empower Medicare to negotiate lower prices for the most expensive prescription drugs, including insulin.
Cap annual out-pocket-costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 in Part D.
Implement a copay cap of $35 a month on insulin products for people on commercial or government insurance plans.
Penalize drug companies for price increases that outpace the rate of inflation.
President Biden has repeatedlystated his commitment to deliver lower drug prices for Americans. In December, the president met with two patientadvocates to hear their stories ahead of his speech on drug pricing reforms in his Build Back Better plan.
The drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better Act have been endorsed by the entire Democratic caucus. Key members continue to emphasize that lowering drug prices will address high and rising costs and are encouraging the caucus to move forward with the comprehensive drug price provisions, including Medicare negotiation.
Allowing Medicare to negotiate is widelysupported by Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike.
8 in 10 Americans agree that Medicare should have the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.
Polls have repeatedly shown that voters believe Medicare negotiation is the top priority in the president’s Build Back Better plan.
According to a new Morning Consult poll, 9 in 10 voters consider drug prices an important issue leading up to the midterm elections. 3 in 4 voters say that a failure to pass drug pricing reforms will impact their vote.
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President Biden has been clear in his commitment to lower drug prices. In tomorrow’s State of the Union address, he has the opportunity to once again push for Senate action to pass the comprehensive drug pricing reforms included in the House-passed Build Back Better package. Congress is closer than ever to passing meaningful drug pricing reforms with support from all 50 Democratic senators and the overwhelming majority of voters.
Here is our State of Drug Pricing Reform to demonstrate just how close we are:
1. Congress Is Poised To Act
The comprehensive drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better Act that passed out of the House have a clear path forward through reconciliation, with the support of all 50 Democratic senators. These reforms will provide relief to millions of patients by authorizing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies, limiting year-to-year price increases, and capping out-of-pocket costs. The drug pricing provisions are the most popular element of BBB with support from voters of all political stripes. Democrats in Congress have both a will and a way to pass the reforms. Key members continue to emphasize that lowering drug prices will address high and rising costs and are encouraging the caucus to move forward with the comprehensive drug price provisions, including Medicare negotiation. This month in Virginia, President Biden called for the reforms alongside frontline Democratic Rep. Spanberger.
“Patients are counting on President Biden to use the power of his office and the moment of the State of the Union address to move his party to action to finally pass the comprehensive drug pricing reforms in BBB, including Medicare negotiation,” says P4ADNow’s David Mitchell in advance of tomorrow’s SOTU. “Americans are looking to Congress and the president to deliver on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide relief to millions who are struggling under the burden of high drug prices.”
2. Big Pharma Exploits A Broken System, But Americans See Through Its Lies and Propaganda
Congress and the president have the opportunity to take on Big Pharma’s endless greed. In January 2022, pharma hiked the prices of nearly 750 drugs, including 11 of the 15 top-selling products in the United States. Congress can deliver relief to Americans facing rising costs by cracking down on Big Pharma’s price gouging with inflationary price caps and Medicare negotiation. Contrary to pharma’slies, the drug pricing reforms in the Build Back Better Act would increase patient access to medications while maintaining innovation for new drugs. “Running the numbers on pharma’s claims shows just how light reform’s injury to innovation would be,” according to New York Magazine. “There are indications that public and political patience for these shenanigans is at a breaking point and that pharma’s grip on Washington is beginning to loosen.”
3. Patients Demand Reform
Patients have been callingonCongress to finish the job and pass the provisions in the Build Back Better Act through letters, phone calls, opinionpieces and interviewswithreporters. They represent the more than 40 percent of Americans who reported having difficulty affording their medications in the last year and the estimated 5 million Medicare beneficiaries who struggle to access their medications due to price. Of those Americans struggling to afford their prescriptions, Black and Latino seniors, people with lower incomes, and people with chronic conditions are disproportionately hurt. It’s no surprise that among Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike, voters believe that Medicare negotiation is the top priority in the president’s agenda. “As patients, we don’t have to choose between innovation and lower drug prices,” writes Christina Raymond, a Maine patient living with breast cancer and lupus. “Passing the drug pricing reforms in Build Back Better would increase access to medications by decreasing the prices and deliver relief to millions of patients like me,” explains Travis Paulson, a Minnesota patient living with type 1 diabetes.
Leading up to and following the State of the Union, P4ADNow’s David Mitchell and other patient advocates are available to speak with press about the drug pricing reforms.
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Welcome to the Week in Review.
1. “No Brainer”
As Congress continues work on a reconciliation package, Democrats know that they must deliver on one of voters’ most popular priorities: lowering drug prices. Democratic senators agree that allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices would offer relief to Americans struggling under high costs due to record inflation. All 50 Democratic senators support the comprehensive provisions from the Build Back Better Act. As Senator Joe Manchin says, lowering drug prices is a “no brainer.” Let’s get it done. — (NPR, The New York Times, New York Magazine)
2. We’re Speaking Loud And Clear
Patient advocates called for lower drug prices on both the federal and state levels this week. In a story for the Deseret News, patients shared the difficult decisions they have been forced to make in order to afford their prescription drugs, including rationing medications to lower costs. In op-eds, type 1 diabetes patient Mindy Salango and AARP Delaware State Director Lucretia Young urged Congress to pass the drug pricing provisions in the Build Back Better Act to help patients afford their medications. And in the Bangor Daily News, a Maine resident calls on her state legislators to pass a bill that ties drug prices to those in Canada. Americans know this is the year we can achieve significant reforms for patients, and we’re not backing down until our lawmakers act. — (Deseret News, Newsweek, News Journal, Bangor Daily News)
3. New Year, Same Behavior
This week, Moderna announced revenues of $18.5 billion from its COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, and the company expects even higher revenues this year at about $22 billion. Reminder: Moderna has admitted that 100 percent of the vaccine’s research and development was backed by government funding. Two years after the start of the pandemic, taxpayers are still paying twice for a vaccine we invented. — (FiercePharma)
One more thing: P4AD founder David Mitchell was named one of STAT’s 46 leaders and influencers in health and life sciences. Check out a full list of the influential individuals here.
What’s harder: getting pharma to stop profiteering during a pandemic or Wordle now that The New York Times owns it?
Welcome to the Week in Review.
1. Lower Prices To Lower Costs
As Democrats gear up for election season, Americans are struggling with rising costs. Lawmakers know they can deliver relief by lowering drug prices for patients by passing the drug price reforms from the Build Back Better Act through reconciliation. The drug pricing provisions have support from all 50 Democratic senators, and Senate Democrats resumedtalks on a reconciliation package this week. It’s time for Congress to deliver on their promises to lower drug prices for millions of Americans across the country who can’t afford their medications. Patients are counting on them. — (The Hill)
2. The Maine Issue: Drug Unaffordability
On Tuesday, patient advocate Sabrina Fuhrer testified during a Maine state legislature hearing in support of a bill that would curb pharmaceutical price gouging by tying drug prices in Maine to prices in neighboring Canada. Sabrina, who has a son living with type 1 diabetes, shared her family’s experience with high drug prices and urged the legislature to act to lower prices for Mainers. “Bringing prices for Mainers in line with what Canada pays would provide relief to so many families like mine who are struggling to make ends meet,” Sabrina said. “I urge you to support LD 1636 to protect my family, my patients, and fellow Mainers from the burden of high drug prices.” — (Sun Journal)
3. States’ Focus On Pharma
In addition to federal action to hold Big Pharma accountable, patients need state lawmakers to pass legislation that lowers drug prices. A Boston Globe editorial this week calls on the Massachusetts House to follow the state Senate’s lead and pass a bill that would increase drug price transparency and cap insulin copays. In New Jersey, Gov. Murphy announced his support for several bills that would cap out-of-pocket costs for some medications — but patients need lawmakers to go further and directly address high prices by creating a prescription drug affordability board. States must hold Big Pharma accountable for its abusive pricing practices. — (The Boston Globe, Asbury Park Press)
