CSRxP: SOTU 2020 OFFERS PRESIDENT UNIQUE MOMENT TO LEAD ON LOWERING Rx PRICES

Trump Can Use Platform To Demand Congress Hold Big Pharma Accountable & Deliver Relief For Americans

Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) said Monday that President Trump will have a unique opportunity during the 2020 State of the Union address to advance his commitment to lowering prescription drug prices – by demanding bipartisan action from lawmakers sitting in the audience on market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable.

“CSRxP commends President Trump for his administration’s ongoing commitment to delivering relief for the millions of Americans struggling with out-of-control prescription drug prices,” said CSRxP executive director Lauren Aronson.  “With Big Pharma continuing to hike prices, despite unprecedented public outrage at the industry’s egregious behavior, the president has a unique moment Tuesday to lead, by demanding lawmakers work together to advance bipartisan, market-based solutions to hold drug companies accountable.”

“The State of the Union will provide President Trump with an unparalleled platform to hold Big Pharma accountable for its business-as-usual attitude,” Aronson continued.  “The president can use this unique moment in an address to the nation to put Congress on notice that the American people are closely watching to see if they can rise above politics and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry to pass market-based drug pricing solutions.”

Several critical solutions have garnered bipartisan support in both chamber of Congress, including measures to:

• Provide Seniors Savings: By capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
• Disincentivize Price-Gouging: By reforming Medicare Part D to give Big Pharma significant liability in the catastrophic phase.
• Protect Patients & Taxpayers: By keeping the growth of prescription drug prices in line with inflation.
• Boost Transparency: By shining a greater light on Big Pharma’s opaque pricing practices.
• Support Competition: By advancing policies to crack down on Big Pharma’s anti-competitive tactics, help bring affordable alternatives to market sooner and increase the utilization of biosimilars.

A recent CSRxP survey conducted in five top 2020 Senate battleground states, found an overwhelming majority of voters hold Big Pharma responsible for out-of-control prescription drug prices and want Congress to pass these bipartisan reforms.  The poll surveyed voters in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa and Maine.

• 70 Percent: On average, across the five states, more than 70 percent of survey respondents lay blame for “the rising price of prescription drugs” at the feet of pharmaceutical companies.
• 88-Points: By a whopping 88 percent margin, voters agreed that if the House passed legislation that includes these measures – that the Senate must follow suit. That includes 92.2 percent of Democrats and 94.2 percent of Republicans who support Senate action on these reforms.
• 61-Points: By a nearly 61-point margin, battleground state voters believe Congress should pass bipartisan drug pricing reforms before the end of the year.

See CSRxP’s infographic detailing solutions with significant bipartisan consensus in Congress HERE.

Read more on bipartisan, market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable HERE.

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