Pace Of Drug Price Activity In Congress A Reason For Optimism

Three More Hearings Will Keep Attention On The Impact Of Big Pharma’s Anti-Competitive Tactics

Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) released a statement Tuesday in anticipation of a trio of hearings before Congress this week that will address the crisis of prescription drug prices.

“The momentum in Washington to take action on the crisis of prescription drug prices, hold pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable, and secure relief for American patients and consumers continues to build,” said CSRxP Executive Director Lauren Aronson.  “The pace of activity, with three hearings already held this Congress, and three more to be held this week alone, provides reason for optimism that concrete action will soon follow.”

“We commend the leaders, from both parties, who have called public attention to the plight of American patients and advocated for actionable, market-based solutions that will hold drug makers accountable and reduce the price of prescription drugs,” Aronson continued.  “We hope lawmakers keep the momentum going and translate what they have learned into concrete action to tackle this crisis.”

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will host a hearing on prescription drug prices Wednesday and Thursday.  The committee agenda for Wednesday will feature testimony from American patients impacted by the crisis of rising prescription drug prices.  Witnesses on Thursday will discuss the policy issues surrounding drug pricing.

The U.S. House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health and the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Anti-Trust, Commercial and Administrative Law will hold hearings on drug pricing and competition in healthcare markets, respectively, on Thursday.

The three new hearings come in the wake of several major hearings already held in the 116^th Congress, including two held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, one of which included testimony from executives of seven big drug makers.