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)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, voters across the country elected candidates who ran on promises to lower prescription drug prices. Today, Patients For Affordable Drugs Now launched a new ad to ensure they deliver on those promises. Democrats and Republicans made relief from rising drug prices a central part of their campaigns through speeches, ads, and debates.
“From Maine to Arizona, voters sent congressional candidates to Washington who committed to relief from high drug prices for the American people. And now we will hold them to those promises,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now.
“President-elect Biden has made unifying the nation his first priority, and no issue unifies Americans like the need to lower the prices of prescription drugs,” Mitchell added. “We will mobilize our full support behind President-elect Biden and members of Congress from both parties who act to deliver meaningful reform to lower prescription drug prices.”
The new campaign kicks off this week with the ad slated to run on digital media platforms. In the coming months, the campaign will include grassroots mobilization and virtual visits to Capitol Hill by patients to press for promised reforms.
The ad features President-elect Biden and winning Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle promising to take on skyrocketing drug prices. Included in the ad are Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Steve Daines (R-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Senator-elect Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
Patients For Affordable Drugs Now is an independent, bipartisan patient organization focused on advancing policies to lower drug prices. It does not accept funding from any organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.
TRANSCRIPT:
President-elect Joe Biden: “We’re going to make sure we reduce drug prices.” SUPER: This election season (thank goodness it’s over) Senator Tina Smith (D-MN): “I have been working to lower prescription drug prices.” SUPER: Across the country, Democrats and Republicans made a promise SUPER: Lower drug prices Senator Gary Peters (D-IL): “I’m fighting to lower the cost of prescription drugs.” Senator Steve Daines (R-MT): “He’s taking on Big Pharma.” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME): “To lower the cost of prescriptions.” Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA): “We have to work on prescription drugs.” Senator-elect Mark Kelly (D-AZ): “A single prescription can cost thousands.” SUPER: Now Americans demand that lawmakers deliver on their promise SUPER: Lower prescription drug prices. SUPER: Fightpharma.org
###
Colorado Voters Give Hickenlooper A Clear Mandate For Drug Pricing Reform in 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After campaigning on the promise to lower drug prices, John Hickenlooper successfully won the Colorado Senate seat. Throughout the campaign, Hickenlooper promised to help families afford prescription drug costs by pushing for Medicare negotiation and transparent drug pricing. With his victory comes a clear mandate from voters for Senator-elect Hickenlooper to stand with patients against Big Pharma and rein in prescription drug prices in 2021.
“Hickenlooper’s victory proves what we have heard from voters across the country: Patients want elected officials who will fight to lower drug prices,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Hickenlooper’s promise to deliver meaningful drug pricing reform is a commitment we will hold him to as he joins the 117th Congress. Patients can’t wait any longer.”
Hickenlooper ran ads elevating the issue of drug pricing and committing to “help families getting crushed by prescription drug costs.” Voters took Hickenlooper’s commitment to the polls and delivered him a victory, flipping the Senate seat.
In the lead-up to Nov. 3, Coloradans like Kris Garcia from Denver shared their stories to spotlight the struggle Colorado residents face affording prescription drugs. “When you cast your ballot, make sure your candidate has a plan to lower drug prices.”
Garcia’s ad was a part of a seven-figure national campaign launched by Patients For Affordable Drugs Now featuring TV, radio, and digital ads alongside grassroots tools that gave patient advocates the power to engage with candidates on the issue of drug prices.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 9 out of 10 voters named lowering prescription drug prices a top health care issue deciding their 2020 presidential vote. Nationwide, 35 percent of voters said drug pricing is among their most important voting issues, according to Gallup.
P4ADNow is an independent, bipartisan patient organization focused on advancing policies to lower drug prices. It does not accept funding from any organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.
###
Virginia Voters Give Warner A Clear Mandate For Drug Pricing Reform in 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After campaigning on the promise to lower drug prices, Mark Warner successfully won re-election to the U.S. Senate. Throughout the campaign, Warner vowed to allow Medicare to negotiate directly for lower prices. With his victory comes a clear mandate from voters for the senator to stand with patients and rein in prescription drug prices in 2021.
“Senator Warner’s victory proves what we have heard from voters across the country: Patients want elected officials who will fight to lower drug prices,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Warner’s promise to deliver meaningful drug pricing reform is a commitment we will hold him to as he joins the 117th Congress. Patients can’t wait any longer.”
Warner, whose daughter has juvenile diabetes, ran ads elevating the issue of drug pricing and highlighting his support of legislation that would allow for Medicare negotiation, put an end to pharmaceutical price gouging, and cap out-of-pocket costs in Medicare. Voters took Warner’s commitment to the polls, delivering him a clear victory.
In the lead-up to Nov. 3, Virginians like Candice Brown from Alexandria shared their stories to spotlight the struggle Virginia residents face affording prescription drugs. “I’ve been on Entyvio for the last year. The only caveat is it’s $6,700 a month. No one can afford that. This drug pricing system was not meant to benefit me as a patient. It was meant to benefit Big Pharma.”
Candice’s ad was a part of a national campaign launched by Patients For Affordable Drugs Now featuring TV, radio, and digital ads alongside grassroots tools that gave patient advocates the power to engage with candidates on the issue of drug prices.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 9 out of 10 voters named lowering prescription drug prices a top health care issue deciding their 2020 presidential vote. Nationwide, 35 percent of voters said drug pricing is among their most important voting issues, according to Gallup.
P4ADNow is an independent, bipartisan patient organization focused on advancing policies to lower drug prices. It does not accept funding from any organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.
###
Whatever the outcome on Tuesday, this election has made one thing clear yet again: Voters care deeply about taking on drug corporations and bringing down the price of prescription drugs.
This cycle, in an unprecedented way, candidates, political parties, and independent expenditure campaigns spent time and money talking about rising prescription drug prices and promising to fix the broken system. Candidates on both sides of the aisle made promises to bring down drug prices — with good reason. Lowering drug prices is a winner in polling, among voters at the kitchen table, and for the economy.
Take a look for yourself.
POLLING demonstrates the power of lowering drug prices.
Nearly 9 out of 10 voters say lowering prescription drug prices is a top health care issue deciding their 2020 vote. [Kaiser Family Foundation, October 2020]
“About one-third (35%) of Americans say that lowering the cost of prescription drugs is either the single most important issue (5%) or among the most important issues (30%) that will influence their vote in 2020.” [Gallup, September 2020]
CANDIDATES put their time and money behind ads and talking points promising to lower drug prices.
“Joe Biden will make health care affordable. His plan gives a tax credit to help working families pay insurance premiums, lowers prescription costs by 60 percent.” [Biden for President TV ad, October 2020]
“On prescription drugs, Susan wrote the law that lets pharmacists recommend less expensive payment alternatives.” [Senator Susan Collins TV ad, September 2020]
“I have been working to lower prescription drug prices since my first day in the Senate.” [Senator Tina Smith TV ad, August 2020]
“My legislation cracks down on runaway drug prices and finally lets the government negotiate for lower prices.” [Senator Mark Warner TV ad,September 2020]
LAWMAKERS pay a political price for betting on Big Pharma. Outside entities believe ties to drug corporations are toxic and spent millions this cycle defining candidates as in the pocket of Big Pharma.
“If you’re a drug company, you’ve done well under Donald Trump…Meanwhile, prescription drugs cost as much as nine times more.” [Priorities USA TV ad, October 2020]
“Senator Thom Tillis voted to let drug companies raise prices on hundreds of medicines, and while they were jacking up prices on you.” [Senate Majority PAC TV ad, August 2020]
“Daines voted to give big drug companies tens of billions in tax breaks.” [Duty and Honor TV ad, August 2020]
“David Perdue voted against cracking down on the drug companies’ price gouging and ripping us off.” [Majority Forward TV ad, July 2020]
“Next time you fill a prescription, remember this. Minnesota’s U.S. Congressman Jim Hagedorn says he will vote against lowering the cost of prescription drugs.” [DCCC TV ad, October 2020]
“Back in Washington, Davis is all smiles for big drug companies, because they’ve given him over two hundred grand while Davis gave them a $40 billion tax cut.” [House Majority PAC TV ad, September 2020]
“While we’re waiting for Ann Wagner to answer our calls, she’s busy calling the corporate drug and insurance industries who’ve given her more than $1.3 million in campaign cash. And, she voted with them to keep prescription prices high.” [DCCC TV ad, August 2020]
“Tillis took thousands from drug companies and voted to let them raise prices on hundreds of drugs.” [End Citizens United TV ad, September 2020]
VOTERS want to hear about plans to lower drug prices.
“It’s going to be my first time voting this year. Prices of drugs have a huge effect on my vote.” [Sophie Andro, Grand Rapids, MI, October 2020]
“I’m voting for candidates who will stand up to Big Pharma and lower the prices of prescription drugs.” [Jacquie Persson, Waterloo, IA, September 2020]
“When I’m voting up and down the ballot, candidates that are gonna fight high drug prices are everything to me.” [Travis Paulson, Eveleth, MN, September 2020]
“When I’m thinking about whoever I’m going to vote for, drug pricing is very important.” [Patricia McKenzie, Lithonia, GA, September 2020]
Three. More. Days. Welcome to the Week In Review.
1.Ten Years A Cancer Patient
On the 10th anniversary of his multiple myeloma diagnosis, David Mitchell, the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs, reflects on his journey and the power of the patient voice in calling for lower drug prices. “Cancer broke my back, but it stiffened my spine. And every day I am inspired by my fellow patients in this fight. They are the key to change. They are the reason we will win.” — (Morning Consult)
2. Send Him Packing
As candidates across the country commit to lowering drug prices, one senator stands apart from the rest in his refusal to do so: Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina. Tillis has repeatedly backed pharmaceutical companies instead of standing up for patients. — (STAT)
3.Risky Investments
The federal government is paying Eli Lilly $375 million for 300,000 doses of its potential COVID-19 treatment, with the option of securing 650,000 more doses for an additional $812.5 million. At $1,250 per dose, it’s a hefty price to pay for a drug that U.S. taxpayers helped to develop. — (Reuters)
4. Paying in Advance
Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries will receive FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines without paying additional out-of-pocket fees, according to a new policy announced by the Trump administration Wednesday. This is welcome news, but let’s not forget that taxpayers have already paid billions of dollars for vaccine development. — (The Hill)
5. The Very Definition of Pandemic Profiteering
Pharma executives at a dozen companies making COVID-19 vaccines and treatments have cashed in $1.3 billion worth of stock since March. What’s worse, companies like Moderna have $2.5 billion in taxpayer cash committed to test, produce, and eventually sell 100 million doses of its vaccine candidate right back to the government that fully funded it. Taxpayers are taking on the risk — while drug company insiders get rich. — (The Boston Globe)
TEN days to go. Welcome to the Week In Review.
1.Dubious Discount Cards…Disappear?
The Trump administration’s vow to deliver $200 drug coupons to Medicare beneficiaries before Election Day is a no-go, according to Medicare officials. Such a move may violate election law and has triggered congressional requests to review the plan. What Americans desperately need now is lasting reform to lower drug prices, not another political ploy that changes nothing for the millions of people suffering under Big Pharma’s greed. — (The New York Times)
2. Stage Set for Drug Pricing Reform in 2021
In 2021, Congress is expected to continue its push to lower drug prices that was — understandably — interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the makeup of the 117th Congress, one thing is certain: Our legislators must work together to stand up to Big Pharma and provide relief to all Americans. — (FierceHealthcare)
3.Double-Charged in a Pandemic
Billions of dollars in federal funding flowed to pharma’s coffers to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Now, pharma plans to charge Americans a second time for the taxpayer-funded doses and make a killing on the public investment. This game is rigged — we’re being set up to pay twice. — (Salon)
4. Oh, COME ON
The FDA on Thursday approved Gilead’s COVID-19 drug remdesivir, only days after data from a WHO megastudy suggested the drug had “little to no” effect on COVID-19 patients and did not prevent death. Even so, one course of treatment for the taxpayer-funded drug is $3,120, a price that ignores the massive taxpayer support that prompted its creation. Accessibility to an expensive COVID-19 treatment with mixed reviews shouldn’t be one more thing we need to worry about. — (STAT)
5.Milking Mayhem
Pfizer could make as much as $3.5 billion next year from its potential COVID-19 vaccine and $1.4 billion in the years following, according to analysts. Drug corporations are treating this unprecedented public health crisis as a way to cash in. — (FiercePharma)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During tonight’s presidential debate in Nashville, Vice President Joe Biden promised to stand with patients and let Medicare negotiate for lower drug prices.
“Drug prices are a top issue for voters, and we appreciate Vice President Biden emphasizing his plan to lower prices, promote competition, and let Medicare negotiate,” said Ben Wakana, executive director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now.
Vice President Biden: “We’re going to make sure we reduce the premiums and reduce drug prices by making sure that there’s competition that doesn’t exist now by allowing Medicare to negotiate.”
BACKGROUND:
Nearly 9 out of 10 voters say lowering prescription drug prices is a top health care issue deciding their 2020 presidential vote.
86 percent of Americans support “allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to get a lower price on medications for people on Medicare.”
According to the University of Pennsylvania, Vice President Biden’s proposals would lower average prescription drug prices by roughly 60 percent.
Vice President Joe Biden’s plan to lower drug prices has several key components:
Allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prices and limit price increases for brand-name drugs to the rate of inflation
Create policies to counter anti-competitive practices like “pay-for-delay” deals, patent thickets, and evergreening
Evaluate the role of taxpayer investments in R&D and factor it into pricing decisions
Drug prices are continuing to rise, with increases on over 500 drugs in January 2020 alone and nearly 250 additional drugs in the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
