DELAWARE — Nearly 40 labor, business, consumer, and health care organizations sent a letter this week calling on Congress to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The letter praises H.R. 3, the House bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, as well as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden’s recent guiding principles for drug pricing reform, which are expected to be considered for inclusion in the Democrats’ reconciliation budget package later this year.
“We hope, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Carper recognizes that major labor, business, consumer, and health care groups in this nation all agree that Medicare must have the ability to negotiate lower drug prices for Americans,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Nine out of 10 Americans support this policy. We are calling on Senator Carper to stand with patients against Big Pharma’s lobbying machine.”
Big Pharma has been spreading lies to try to stop drug pricing reform from moving forward — the pharmaceuticals and health products industry spentabout $92 million on lobbying in the first quarter of the year, more than any other industry.
The letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, asks them to:
“This year provides the best opportunity in decades to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and bring meaningful relief to millions of Americans who struggle to afford their prescription drugs,” Mitchell continued. “As President Biden said, ‘Let’s do it now.’”
Patients For Affordable Drugs Now is one of nearly 40 organizations that signed onto the letter, which was led by Families USA. In an effort to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate, P4ADNow recently launched a campaign calling on Senator Carper to support policy reform that would bring relief to Delawareans.
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OREGON — Nearly 40 labor, business, consumer, and health care organizations sent a letter this week calling on Congress to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The letter praises H.R. 3, the House bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, as well as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden’s recent guiding principles for drug pricing reform, which are expected to be considered for inclusion in the Democrats’ reconciliation budget package later this year.
“We hope Rep. Schrader recognizes that major labor, business, consumer, and health care groups in this nation all agree that Medicare must have the ability to negotiate lower drug prices for Americans,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now. “Nine out of 10Americans support this policy. We are calling on Rep. Schrader to stand with patients against Big Pharma’s lobbying machine.”
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.
Big Pharma has been spreading lies to try to stop drug pricing reform from moving forward — the pharmaceuticals and health products industry spentabout $92 million on lobbying in the first quarter of the year, more than any other industry.
The letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, asks them to:
“This year provides the best opportunity in decades to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and bring meaningful relief to millions of Americans who struggle to afford their prescription drugs,” Mitchell continued. “As President Biden said, ‘Let’s do it now.’”
Patients For Affordable Drugs Now is one of nearly 40 organizations that signed onto the letter, which was led by Families USA. In an effort to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate, P4ADNow recently launched a campaign calling on Rep. Schrader to support policy reform that would bring relief to Oregonians.
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MASSACHUSETTS — Patient advocate Karolina Chorvath, who lives with Crohn’s disease, shared her story about living with high drug prices today during a Joint Committee on Health Care Financing hearing, testifying in support of House Bill 729 and Senate Bill 771. This legislation expands the authority of the Health Policy Commission to allow it to review the prices of expensive drugs and engage with drug corporations to lower the costs of medications that are deemed unreasonable or excessive.
To manage her Crohn’s disease and arthritis, Chorvath takes Stelara, which costs between $30,000 and $70,000 a year. She also takes an injectable for severe chronic migraines that costs $300 to $600 per treatment.
“Like so many others, I live at the mercy of drug corporations,” Chorvath, a Boston-based journalist, told the committee. “I already have to deal with the excruciating pain and uncertainty of living with multiple chronic conditions … It is unacceptable to leave any patient wondering if they can afford to live.”
H.729, An Act to ensure prescription drug cost transparency and affordability, and S.771, An Act relative to pharmaceutical access, costs, and transparency, would:
“That is why reforms like those proposed are so important,” Chorvath said. “They take on the high cost of prescription drugs and would bring some relief to patients like me.”
After today’s hearing, the committee will consider whether to report out the bills favorably.
You can watch the recording of the hearing here.
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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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