Latest News | Sep 16, 2019

The Week in Review in Prescription Drug Pricing

1. Let. Medicare. Negotiate.

2. Momentum Grows for Senate Finance Bill

3. Speak Out

4. On the Take

5. No, really. LOWER DRUG PRICES.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, issued the following statement in response to a draft plan in the House of Representatives that would lower drug prices for Americans through negotiations with drug corporations.

“If reports are accurate, this plan would deliver significant relief for patients and taxpayers. The proposal would lower prescription drug prices for American patients while protecting access to medicine and increasing funding for innovation.

“Americans pay two to three times what people in other nations pay for prescription drugs. Why? Other countries negotiate — we don’t. This proposal will ensure that Americans experience lower drug prices whether covered by a government plan or private insurance. It will be a bold step forward.”

BACKGROUND:

According to reports, the plan includes the following key provisions that would:

Medicare Part D provides coverage for 43 million Americans’ prescription drug needs. And spending has been on an untenable path.


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Pharma just took a DNA test. Turns out they’re 100% OVERPRICED.

1. “I have nothing. But I am alive, and I can still fight.”

2. ? ← New Pharma Poll Numbers

3. Pharma CEOs Dish Dough

4. Tick Tock

5. State Wins Pile Up

Welcome to The Week in Review in Prescription Drug Pricing — Labor Day edition.

1. The $6 Million Claim

2. MS Mess

3. Golden State Grapple

4. Congressional Cash Flow

5. No Info

1. Slowing Down for the Speed Cameras

2. Clear as Day

3. A choice no one should have to make

4. In His Own Words

5. Oh yeah?

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Big Pharma has spent millions of dollars on a full-court press to stop the Trump administration from implementing an International Pricing Index for one reason: The plan will lower drug prices in America. Today, industry lobbyists will meet with administration officials to press their case that Americans should continue to pay twice what other countries pay for drugs.

“We have no doubt the drug corporations will dust off their favorite scare tactics — like ‘rationing medicine,’ ‘reducing access,’ and ‘socialism,’” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “But the claims are outrageous, offensive, and wrong.”

Here are the facts:

FACT CHECK: PhRMA’s False Claims About the Medicare Part B demonstration

MYTH #1: The Part B demonstration will restrict access to lifesaving drugs.
FACTS:


MYTH #2: The Part B demonstration will establish drug prices that are impossibly low — stifling innovation, damaging drug companies and hurting our health system.
FACTS:


MYTH #3: The demonstration will result in worse care for patients. The government should not replace a market-based system with government price setting.
FACTS:


MYTH #4: Americans do not support the Part B proposed changes.
FACTS:


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30-50 feral hogs couldn’t drag us away from bringing you all the news in drug pricing!

1. They Lied

2. We (Already) PAID

3. Authorized Scam

4. “How many more young type 1 diabetes patients have to die…?”

5. Boo, Hiss


Have a wonderful weekend!

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the introduction of the bipartisan We PAID Act of 2019, federal lawmakers are taking a stand today to assure drug companies set reasonable prices for prescription drugs funded with taxpayer investment. The We Protect American Investment in Drugs Act (We PAID), sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rick Scott (R-FL), would allow for the creation of an independent body representing taxpayers to engage the pharmaceutical industry on drug pricing and limit annual price increases when taxpayer-funded research leads to the creation of a new drug. In response to the news, David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, issued the following statement:

“The We PAID Act will help American patients get innovative new drugs supported by taxpayer investment while ensuring fair prices at the pharmacy counter. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Chris Van Hollen and Rick Scott. As a patient with incurable cancer who lives with hope for a cure that will be in reach of all Americans, this legislation carries special significance.

“The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the world’s single largest funder of biomedical science supporting research and development of some of the most innovative and expensive drugs. New cell and gene therapies based on science paid for by taxpayers through the NIH are coming to market at prices ranging from $400,000 to more than $2 million — prices that are unsustainable.

“The We PAID Act aims to establish a process to ensure these new drugs not only are invented but are priced to maximize public health. We look forward to working for its enactment with members of Congress in both chambers.”

BACKGROUND:


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