If we can get a ship out of the Suez Canal, we can lower drug prices. Welcome to the Week in Review.
Presidential Promises
During a Politico interview, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said the administration’s upcoming American Family Plan will involve measures to lower health care costs, “particularly around prescription drugs.” It’s an encouraging sign that President Biden, who campaigned on the commitment of bringing down drug prices, intends to make good on his promise.— (Politico; watch at 22:18)
2.Congressional Movement On Drug Pricing
Members of Congress are in discussions to include Medicare negotiation for lower drug prices in a legislative package later this year. This is an exciting moment for patients burdened with high prices and proves that this year we have a real chance to reform our broken drug pricing system. Lawmakers must work together and deliver urgently needed change for patients across the country. — (The Hill)
3. We’re Fired Up
This week, Connecticut advocate Jay Gironimi and Oregon advocate Michael Nielsen made compelling cases for passing drug pricing legislation in their respective states. “There is plenty of room for both innovation and affordability. Other industries have to balance the two, but drug companies have patents on products we literally can’t live without. Our misfortunes build their fortunes,” Gironimi writes. “We cannot let them continue to exploit the lack of regulation on their industry — padding their profits and forcing those who need prescriptions to accept unaffordable price increases or suffer without those drugs,” Nielsen explains.— (The Connecticut Mirror, The Bend Bulletin)
4. Our Voices Will Prevail
Big Pharma knows that lawmakers are serious about passing legislation to lower drug prices, and the industry is intensifying its lobbying efforts to oppose important policy proposals like Medicare negotiation. Patients can’t compete with drug companies’ lobbying war chests, but pharma can’t match our powerful stories championing our right to affordable prescription drugs.— (Center for Responsive Politics)
5. “A Responsibility To Take Action”
In an op-ed, Colorado state legislators Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Julie Gonzales lay out their plan to reduce drug prices for Coloradans by establishing a prescription drug affordability board. The board would have the power to create upper payment limits for high-priced drugs. “Prescription drugs don’t work if we can’t afford to buy them, and it’s time to level the playing field for families.” — (Colorado Politics)
Get your vaccine now, a donut tomorrow, and a $175 booster next year?
Welcome to the Week in Review.
A Lesson From COVID-19 Vaccines
In response to the CDC director’s concern that drug companies will increase the price of COVID-19 vaccines, P4AD Founder David Mitchell authored a New York Times op-ed explaining how the COVID-19 vaccine story has made it clearer than ever that the government must be allowed to negotiate drug and vaccine prices on behalf of Americans. For decades, pharma has profited from a rigged system that uses taxpayer dollars to fund innovation and allows drug companies to set prices, raking in record profits. This year, we can break the cycle. — (The New York Times)
2.This Is The Moment
Congress has the best chance in years to pass game-changing legislation to lower drug prices. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in the White House alike are strongly considering including provisions to allow Medicare negotiation for drug prices, a tactic with overwhelming voter support, in the next budget reconciliation bill. “We would be missing an opportunity if we did not include lowering the cost of prescription drugs,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Patients couldn’t agree more. — (Kaiser Health News)
3. Coast To Coast
At a Senate HELP subcommittee hearing on high drug prices this week, lawmakers shared the stories of constituents struggling to afford their medications. Senator Lisa Murkowski told the story of an Alaska patient who saw the price of her inhaler increase in January for the third year in a row, and Senator Tammy Baldwin read a Wisconsin patient’s account of how her high-priced cancer drugs are driving her family toward bankruptcy. Stories like these can be found in all 50 states — everysenator must take a stand against pharmaceutical price gouging. — (P4ADNow)
4. “Not The Life That I Want For My Son”
On Tuesday, patient advocate Sabrina Burbeck spoke out in support of a package of bills introduced by Maine state lawmakers to rein in high drug prices. Sabrina’s son, who lives with type 1 diabetes, relies on insulin that is priced at $350 per month. “He had to change what kind of insulin he takes based on costs, and has even resorted to rationing vials of insulin when he is in a pinch,” Sabrina said. “No one should have to live like this or make choices like this. This is not the life that I want for my son.” — (Public News Service)
5. Drugs Don’t Work If People Can’t Afford Them
A new survey found that nearly 4 in 10 Americans have had difficulty affording their prescription drugs in the past year. About 20 percent have taken on debt to pay for their drugs, and nearly 40 percent have had to change their medication regimen in some way because of high prices. We must keep fighting for a future where patients no longer have to choose between risking their health or their financial security. — (GoodRx)
One more thing: This week, P4AD Founder David Mitchell pushed back against the idea that Big Pharma deserves all the credit for COVID-19 vaccines in a Wall Street Journal letter. He breaks down just how much publicly funded research and the government are to thank for the vaccines.
Hello! I’m thrilled to be joining P4ADNow and all of you in the fight to lower drug prices.
Welcome to the Week in Review.
It’s Official: Secretary Becerra
In a win for patients facing high prescription drug prices, Xavier Becerra was confirmed as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday. Secretary Becerra has been clear and consistent in his commitment to lower drug prices, and we look forward to working with him to ensure that medications are accessible and affordable for all. — (Endpoints News)
2.Winning The Battle In Minnesota
Minnesota successfully defended its insulin affordability law, which provides free insulin to diabetes patients unable to afford the high prices, against a suit brought by industry trade group PhRMA. The law is named after Alec Smith, who died after rationing his insulin supply. Now that an insulin safety net has been established, lawmakers must continue the fight and pass legislation to lower list prices for all. — (MinnPost)
3. The Price Is Never Right
AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez netted a compensation package of $24 million last year, during a pandemic, as the company exceeded its revenue targets. This is an increase of 11 percent from 2019. AbbVie continues to hike the price of its blockbuster Humira, the best-selling drug that famously generates more revenue each year than the entire NFL. When pharma executives are incentivized to meet earnings targets for higher bonuses, the result is an endless cycle of price gouging. — (FiercePharma)
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and their executives stand to gain huge fortunes from the pandemic. It’s estimated that each drug corporation will make at least $10 billion in COVID-19 vaccine sales after the federal government invested hundreds of millions of dollars in these vaccines. Company executives are already cashing in, as the CEOs of Pfizer and J&J took home compensation packages of $21 million and $29 million, respectively, while Moderna’s CEO sold nearly $40 million worth of stock. It’s the definition of pandemic profiteering. — (The Guardian)
2.Double Talk
During an Axios interview, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said, “It will be terrible for society if price becomes an obstacle” to getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Yet, Pfizer’s chief financial officer admitted in February that the company is looking at increasing vaccine prices, from $19.50 to as much as $175 per dose after the pandemic period. To Mr. Bourla: Which is it? The decision, and the lives of millions, are in your hands. — (Axios)
3. Colorado Clamps Down
On Monday, Colorado patient advocate Kris Garcia shared his story in support of establishing a state prescription drug affordability board, which would have the power to evaluate and set upper payment limits on high-priced drugs. Kris relies on a medication that costs $10,000 per vial to manage several bleeding disorders. “I require four vials of this drug every time I get an infusion,” he said. “These shocking costs are [for] just one of the many drugs I need.” — (FOX 31)
4. Greed, Not Need
Pharma’s argument that high prices are necessary to fuel innovation just doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Analyses show that the government contributed to the research and development of every new drug approved in the last decade, and that drug prices are far higher than what is needed to recoup R&D costs. Pharma can bring prices down; they just don’t want to. — (National Academy for State Health Policy)
5. Small Businesses Call For Lower Drug Prices
A new survey revealed 93 percent of small business owners hold the pharmaceutical industry responsible for high drug prices and expensive insurance, and over 80 percent believe the federal government should negotiate with drug companies. Patients and small businesses agree — Congress must address high drug prices now. — (Small Business for America’s Future)
The Senate Finance Committee’s tie vote sent Xavier Becerra’s nomination for secretary of HHS to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week. Becerra clearly demonstrated his commitment to reforming the broken drug pricing system during his confirmation hearings. Patients need the majority leader to move quickly to bring the confirmation to a full Senate vote. — (The Hill)
2.Fight For Us
On Wednesday, Oregon patient advocate Michael Nielsen delivered testimony in support of a state bill that would ban collusive “pay-for-delay” deals between brand-name drug companies and generic manufacturers. Michael, a disabled combat veteran, described how he and his wife, Jacki, were unable to afford her hepatitis C medication when it came with a price of $13,000 every 90 days. “I am asking our legislators to fight for patients like us.” — (The Lund Report)
3. Pattern Of Profit
Pharma giant AstraZeneca sold its entire stake in COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna for about $1 billion last year. In 2020, Moderna’s stock price soared thanks to billions of dollars in investment from the federal government. It’s the latest in a pattern of drug corporations and their executives reaping huge profits from stock sales during the pandemic, thanks to taxpayers. — (FiercePharma)
4. Pharma Sees Permission To Price Gouge
A new study found that treatment of rare diseases comprised only 21 percent of spending on 15 top-selling partial orphan drugs, which can be used to treat both rare and common diseases. Researchers are concerned that the orphan drug designation, intended to incentivize the development of drugs for rare diseases, is being abused by pharma companies hoping to extend their monopolies on blockbuster drugs. Once again, pharma takes advantage of a system meant to benefit patients — and instead uses it to fill its coffers. — (University of Michigan)
5. Holding Patients Hostage
Drug companies’ January price hikes on hundreds of drugs are more than just another data point. For millions of patients, they represent an ever-increasing price tag on their lives. When Maria Miller learned that the price of her son’s drug for epileptic seizures had increased by another 4.7 percent, she broke down sobbing. “We are literally held hostage, and they’re using my son’s health to hold us hostage,” Miller said. “I don’t understand how this could become okay.” — (WTHR)
Patients For Affordable Drugs turned 4 years old this week! Thank you to everyone who has been in this fight with us.
Welcome to the Week in Review.
Confirm Becerra Now
HHS Secretary-designate Xavier Becerra asserted his commitment to lower drug prices in confirmation hearings before the Senate HELP and Finance Committees this week. At the hearings, senators on both sides of the aisle made clear that drug pricing is a priority for Congress this year, and Becerra comes with a strong record of defending patients from pharma’s abusive pricing tactics. We urge the Senate to confirm Becerra quickly so that he and Congress can get to work fighting for patients. — (AP)
2. Seize The Moment
With Democrats in control of Congress and the White House, it’s the best political environment in years for comprehensive drug pricing reform. There is bipartisan support to pass a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices. Congress must take advantage of the moment and rein in high drug prices for millions of patients across the country. — (The Hill)
3. Post-Pandemic Profiteering Plans
Pfizer admitted that it intends to hike the price of its COVID-19 vaccine. The company already expects to make $15 billion this year alone thanks to its vaccine developed from taxpayer-funded research, but the company’s CFO suggested that future prices may jump from $19.50 to $175 per dose. It’s a perfect illustration of where pharma’s priorities lie: Even as Americans are still in the midst of a public health crisis, drug corporations are looking for ways to increase their already high profit margins. — (FiercePharma)
4. An Incentive To Price Gouge
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks’ compensation package grew to $23.7 million in 2020 — an increase of 11 percent from 2019 — as the company exceeded its revenue target for the year. Meanwhile, the company continues to hike drug prices, including on its best-selling product Trulicity. When earnings and revenue targets are linked to executive bonuses, is it any surprise that brand-name drugs in the United States are 3.5 times the prices in other countries? — (FiercePharma)
5. Our Work, Their Reward
Moderna is projecting $18 billion in sales this year from its COVID-19 vaccine, which is based on government-funded research and was 100 percent funded by taxpayers. It’s the first year that the company is expected to make a profit. Taxpayers have de-risked the development of vaccines, and now drug companies are watching the cash roll in. — (Reuters)
Who would’ve thought we’d land on Mars EIGHT TIMES before we landed lower drug prices?
Welcome to the Week in Review.
Minnesota Makes A Move
This week, Minnesota lawmakers introduced a bill that would create a state prescription drug affordability board and advisory council with the power to set upper payment limits on unaffordable drugs. Patients like Travis Paulson, who lives with type 1 diabetes, and Ramae Hamrin, who lives with multiple myeloma, shared their stories in support of the board. “When (my life savings) run out, I’m not sure what I will do,” Ramae testified. “Usually, I am a planner — but I cannot plan for this.” — (AP)
2.A Unifying Cause
The fight to lower drug prices continues to be a bipartisan effort. Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of a Senate HELP subcommittee, and Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are publishing reports, putting drug pricing hearings on the agenda, and sponsoring legislation on drug prices this year. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree that out-of-control drug prices harm patients. Let’s make 2021 the year we pass reforms to fix that. — (Sen. Bernie Sanders, The Iowa Standard)
3. Magnifying The Price Hikes
Over the past month, Patients For Affordable Drugs has released a series of graphics taking a closer look at some of the most impactful January 2021 price hikes. These include drugs like the cancer treatment Revlimid, which saw its 24th price hike since 2006, and the best-selling medication Humira, which now costs $5,968 for a month’s supply following a 7.4 percent price hike. In the midst of a pandemic, Big Pharma continues to raise prices, taking advantage of patients who already have the most to lose. — (P4AD)
Roses are red, Violets are blue, We want lower drug prices And know you do, too.
Welcome to the Week in Review.
A Win For Maryland!
On Thursday, the Maryland House of Delegates joined the State Senate in establishing permanent funding for the first-in-the-nation prescription drug affordability board. Gov. Hogan blocked the funding in 2020, and both chambers of the state legislature overrode his veto to allow the board to move forward. We are grateful to the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative for its work to push for full empowerment of the board that will help make drugs more affordable for Marylanders. — (Politico)
2.Racial Justice’s Patent Problem
The next director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has a unique opportunity to reform the patent system and rein in high prescription drug prices, a problem that disproportionately harms communities of color, writes I-MAK co-founder Priti Krishtel in a new op-ed. Drug makers weaponize patent thickets to allow for continual price hikes. If the administration is serious about achieving health equity, addressing pharma’s patent abuses must be part of the conversation. — (The New York Times)
3. Patients Can’t Wait
State legislatures are continuing to take the lead to lower drug prices and hold pharma accountable. Their work is critical for patients like Katherine Pepper, who depends on the pricey drug Humira and often eats just one meal a day to afford her medication. “I’m now in a situation where I have to do Russian roulette, spin the wheel, and figure out what I can do without this month.” — (Kaiser Health News)
4. The State of Affairs
As Americans enter a second year of dealing with the devastating impact of COVID-19, drug companies continue to raise prices on necessary medications and receive billions from governments for taxpayer-funded COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Patients need Congress and the Biden administration to act now to drive down drug prices through Medicare negotiation. — (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
5. Pharma Spends Big On Ads
Top drug makers spent $216 million on TV ads last month, with AbbVie’s best-selling drug Humira and Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication Rybelsus leading the pack. January’s ad blitz extends a period of high pharma TV spending over the past few months. And yet, drug companies want us to believe that there’s no room to reduce profits without impacting the development of innovative new medicines. It just doesn’t add up. — (FiercePharma)
