Broad-based Coalition of Advocates, Including AARP and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, Encourage Lawmakers to Boost Competition, Hold Big Pharma Accountable to Lower Drug Prices
In case you missed it, on Wednesday, The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) joined more than 50 organizations, including AARP and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, on a letter calling on leaders in the U.S. Senate to pass bipartisan solutions to crack down on Big Pharma’s egregious patent abuse and promote competition to lower prescription drug prices. The letter highlights legislation that has won substantial support from both sides of the aisle, including S. 150 – The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act.
This solution, introduced by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary earlier this year, would help hold Big Pharma accountable for egregious anti-competitive tactics like patent thicketing and product hopping that block more affordable alternatives from the market.
Cited in the letter are results from a CSRxP survey conducted in August which found overwhelming support, across party lines, for solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable and boost competition.
According to the survey, 73 percent of independents, 75 percent of Republicans and 86 percent of Democrats support legislation designed to lower prescription drug prices by promoting more competition and holding Big Pharma accountable for abusing the patent system.
The letter also cites data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that found the solutions “will collectively save taxpayers between $two-three billion dollars.”
“With only 26 work days left in this calendar year, we urge the Senate to come together now and address these critical issues to improve the health and financial well-being of people all across the country,” the letter concludes.
Read the full letter HERE.
Read more about Big Pharma’s patent abuse and Cornyn-Blumenthal HERE.
Learn more about bipartisan, market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable HERE.