CSRXP: PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS MUST BACK BIPARTISAN, MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO HOLD BIG PHARMA ACCOUNTABLE

Surrogates for the 2020 Candidates Should Demonstrate Commitment To Lowering Rx Prices and Reject Big Pharma Blame Game in Town Hall

Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) issued a statement Tuesday ahead of a drug pricing town hall with representatives from both the Trump and Biden campaigns hosted by Patients for Affordable Drugs Now.

“Millions of Americans are struggling to afford their medications at a time when Big Pharma continues to callously hike prescription drug prices,” said CSRxP executive director Lauren Aronson. “We hope to hear both presidential campaigns commit to bipartisan, market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable and lower prescription drug prices for American patients, seniors and taxpayers.”

“Both campaigns should reject Big Pharma’s bogus blame game rhetoric and Pharma-backed proposals like the Rebate Rule that would do nothing to lower prescription drug prices, while increasing premiums on Medicare beneficiaries,” Aronson continued. “The presidential campaigns can help build bipartisan momentum for action by focusing on market-based solutions that increase transparency, promote competition and hold Big Pharma accountable for the industry’s egregious practices.”

LOWERING RX PRICES & HOLDING BIG PHARMA ACCOUNTABLE A TOP PRIORITY FOR VOTERS

Before the COVID-19 crisis, more than 58 million Americans struggled to afford their prescription drugs. Now, the economic impact of the pandemic has left millions more American workers, families and seniors struggling just to stay afloat.

Americans want elected officials to support solutions to hold drug companies accountable for their price-gouging behavior and anti-competitive tactics. A recent national survey commissioned by CSRxP and conducted by Morning Consult found American voters overwhelmingly blame Big Pharma for rising prescription drug prices, believe pharmaceutical companies still put profits over people and back market-based solutions to hold drug companies accountable and lower drug prices.

• Voters Overwhelmingly Agree Drug Prices are a Top Priority Issue: 90 percent of American voters view prescription drug prices as “very important” or “somewhat important” among every issue confronting Americans.
• A Decisive Majority Hold Big Pharma Responsible for Rising Rx Prices: Nearly 85 percent of survey respondents lay blame for “the rising price of prescription drugs” at the feet of pharmaceutical companies.
• Americans Remain Skeptical of Big Pharma and Believe the Industry Continues to Put Profits Over People: Two-thirds of American voters believe Big Pharma puts profits before people, has left too many Americans unable to afford the medications they need to survive and must be held accountable now.
• Americans Support Market-Based Solutions to Lower Prescription Drug Prices and Hold Big Pharma Accountable: Nearly 90 percent of American voters believe it’s important Congress pass solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable.
• A Strong Majority of Voters Say Congressional Inaction on Rx Prices Will Impact Their Vote: More than 70 percent of voters say it will impact their vote if Congress fails to pass legislation to lower prescription drug prices.

Learn more about market-based solutions to hold Big Pharma accountable and lower prescription drug prices HERE.