CSRxP Statement On Exclusion Of Big Pharma Accountability Amendment In Appropriations Bill

House Misses Bipartisan Opportunity To Hold Big Pharma Accountable, Increase Transparency For Patients

Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing Communications Director Lauren Blair issued the following statement in response to Joint House and Senate Conference Committee meeting on H.R. 6157, which now excludes a bipartisan, CSRxP-supported policy – included in the Trump Administration’s blueprint, introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and passed out of the Senate – that would have provided funding to enable the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to require that drug makers disclose prices in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising:

“This bill abandons the real bipartisan progress the Senate and the Trump Administration made to hold Big Pharma accountable for out-of-control drug prices and give patients the information they need to make smart decisions about their health care.  Requiring drug makers to disclose prices in direct-to-consumer advertising is not only strongly supported by the American public, bipartisan Members of Congress and the Administration, it’s simply the right thing to do.  Just as patients need to know about the possible side effects of a drug, they also need to know how much it costs and if there are more affordable treatments available.  Ultimately the conference committee missed a major opportunity to deliver on bipartisan promises that would help lower drug prices. 

“Despite today’s disappointing outcome, CSRxP applauds Senators Grassley and Durbin and the Administration for their steadfast commitment to addressing this issue.  We will continue to support their efforts to hold drug manufacturers accountable and increase transparency for patients across the country.”

BACKGROUND:

• CSRxP proposed this policy in 2016, recognizing the fact that DTC advertising has the potential to lead to over utilization of high-cost drugs.
• CSRxP issued strong support for the administration’s decision to require drug makers to disclose prices in DTC advertising.
• CSRxP sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urging the inclusion of the DTC advertising provision, sponsored by Senators Durbin and Grassley, which would provide the necessary funding for the provision.
• CSRxP applauded Senate action and sent a letter urging the House to include the provision in the final bill.

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