Washington, D.C. – Today the National Coalition on Health Care Action Fund announced that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has officially joined the coalition’s Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. The American Academy of Neurology represents 30,000 members and is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care.
“We are glad to welcome the American Academy of Neurology to the Campaign because these doctors are fighting on the front lines to make prescription drugs affordable for patients,” said John Rother, executive director of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. “Health care providers see patients every day that have trouble paying for the medication they need to live healthy, vibrant lives, and we look forward to the AAN’s perspective on how we can reverse the trend of rising drug prices and improve outcomes for patients.”
“The AAN is dedicated to supporting neurologists and their patients in providing the highest quality care available,” said Elaine Jones, MD, owner of Southern New England Neurology and a Fellow with the American Academy of Neurology. “Increasingly, patients are asking to change medications due to cost and some can no longer afford the medication at all. Our patients with diseases like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and dementia can’t risk these changes or stopping and starting medications. We are committed to finding ways to maintain access to the best medications at reasonable prices and are excited to work with the National Coalition on Health Care’s Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing to reach this goal.”
Lowering prescription drug prices is a bipartisan issue that has gained national attention, including from presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle. Every major presidential candidate has weighed in on the issue as voters demand action and the 2016 election cycle picks up steam. Today, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the public view prescription drug costs as unreasonable, and one in four patients (24 percent) say they have not filled a prescription because of cost. Voters are looking for candidates at all levels to find common-sense solutions to make prescription drugs affordable.