Washington, D.C. – This week, Congress is examining America’s alarming opioid epidemic, and once again we have learned of an example where drug manufacturers have inexplicably increased the price of a drug available since 1971 in response to nothing more than what the market will bear. The price of Naloxone, the emergency medication used to save the lives of people who overdose on opiates, has increased more than 50 percent in the past year.
“Drug companies seem to be taking advantage of increased demand for Naloxone during this public health crisis by raising the price of a literally lifesaving medication,” said John Rother, executive director of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.
This is just the latest example of the need for common sense, market-based solutions to the growing drug pricing problem. CSRxP recently released a platform of policy solutions focused on transparency, competition, and value.