The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) kicked off the week with the introduction of its new policy platform aimed to curb skyrocketing prescription drug prices through increased transparency and competition which results in value. CSRxP’s solutions come at a critical time in the conversation about drug pricing, as this bipartisan issue garners unprecedented attention among policymakers, voters, and presidential candidates.
Drug prices in the United States are too high and continue to skyrocket. The unsustainable cost of prescription drugs not only puts pressure on the health care system but increasingly; patients, employers, and providers are paying prices that are too high.
Drug prices in the United States are too high and sharply rising prescription drug prices threaten the affordability of health care and the vitality of our entire economy. CSRxP has developed market-based reforms that restore a functioning market by increasing transparency, promoting competition and innovation, and that result in value.
The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) will release market-based policy solutions to curb rising drug prices at a discussion at the Newseum in Washington, DC on Monday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m.
“It’s important to Walmart to help find solutions to health care costs that continue to rise for individuals and the companies that insure them. With more than 1.1 million associates and family members on Walmart’s health care plans and millions of customers that visit pharmacies in our stores and clubs each week, we understand the importance of quality, affordable health care,” said Sally Welborn, senior vice president of global benefits at Walmart.
Today the National Coalition on Health Care Action Fund announced that the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) has joined the coalition’s Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing which works to find market-based solutions to rising prescription drug prices.
“Excessive price hikes on prescription drugs drive up spending year after year with no end in sight. Drug makers’ annual habit of demanding a blank check, without reference to any change in value from patients and taxpayers, makes it harder for American families to make ends meet. Ultimately, these price increases make health care more expensive for all of us, even those who don’t use prescription drugs. It’s outrageous.”
“There is no silver bullet here. We need to balance affordability, access and innovation whether or not Medicare is directly involved in price negotiations. We can only strike that balance when the market has transparency and competition, and purchasers can pay for value.”
“This is further evidence that skyrocketing drug prices are more widespread than a few bad actors. When major drug companies hike prices on common prescription drugs, Americans suffer. Families are forced to decide between paying for prescriptions or paying bills, and that’s wrong.”
While it’s unconscionable that hedge fund pharmaceutical companies like Turing and Retrophin purchase treatments and suddenly raise prices, the current model in which drug companies raise prices year after year is just as bad for patients – and, frankly, unsustainable for our entire health care system.