Press Release Archives

How Pfizer Set the Cost of Its New Drug at $9,850 a Month

Dec 9, 2015

Pfizer’s multistep pricing process shows drugmakers don’t just pick a lofty figure out of the air. At the same time, its process yielded a price that bore little relation to the drug industry’s oft-cited justification for its prices, the cost of research and development. Instead, the price that emerged was largely based on a complex analysis of the need for a new drug with this one’s particular set of benefits and risks, potential competing drugs, the sentiments of cancer doctors and a shrewd assessment of how health plans were likely to treat the product. Read More

Health Spending in U.S. Topped $3 Trillion Last Year

Dec 2, 2015

“This rapid increase, which was the highest rate since 2002, was in part due to the introduction of new drug treatments for hepatitis C, as well as of those used to treat cancer and multiple sclerosis,” the administration said. The new treatments for hepatitis C, which are highly effective, accounted for $11.3 billion in new spending. Read More

Daraprim Still Priced 2,500% Higher Than Original Price

Nov 30, 2015

"While the adjusted price of Daraprim is an improvement from its original price tag, it is clear that this critical treatment is still priced far out of reach for many Americans. This same medication can be purchased overseas for $.66 a pill -- a fraction of what it costs in the U.S. -- which makes us question how the pharmaceutical industry can justify their outrageous and harmful pricing strategies." Read More

Fact vs. Fiction: PhRMA’s 10% Talking Point Edition

Nov 20, 2015

PhRMA often uses “retail prescription medicines” and “prescription medicines” interchangeably in discussing the total cost of drugs to the U.S. health care system. PhRMA also makes sure to note regularly that drug spending accounts for "only 10 percent" of all healthcare spending. Read More

Drug Prices Top Concern for Iowa Voters

Nov 18, 2015

"Simply put, voters are looking for relief from astronomical drug prices and favor candidates who understand this is a pocketbook issue for American families," said John Rother, executive director of the coalition. Read More

Policy Experts, Iowa Voters Share Concern Over Soaring Rx Costs

Nov 5, 2015

As prescription drugs become increasingly expensive, the issue of unsustainable drug pricing is quickly becoming a central focus of the 2016 Presidential election. Last week, the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing brought together policy experts and voters to discuss potential solutions during a panel discussion at Drake University. Read More

What They Are Saying…

Oct 28, 2015

What The Candidates Are Saying… As the 2016 presidential race heats up,… Read More

High Drug Prices: A Conversation with Iowa Voters

Oct 26, 2015

Join the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing for a panel discussion on the issue of skyrocketing prescription drug prices and broader challenges ahead for Iowa and the U.S. health care system. Read More

Federation of American Hospitals Joins Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing

Oct 21, 2015

“Just as consumers are feeling the unsustainable cost pressure on prescription medications, so are the hospitals that purchase these essential, lifesaving prescription drugs for our patients in our care,” said Chip Kahn, President and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals. Read More

Express Scripts sees $750 million in spending on new cholesterol drugs

Oct 7, 2015

Express Scripts has reached deals to cover two costly new cholesterol drugs and expects to spend roughly $750 million on them next year. Read More

FDA Approves New Cholesterol-Lowering Treatments

Aug 28, 2015

"The approval of Repatha is another example of a breakthrough medication with a too high price tag. With several game-changing medications in the pipeline, we need to address the underlying issue of how these prices are set from the start before they hit the market.” Read More

New KFF Poll: Unsustainable drug pricing moves ahead of ACA as GOP voters’ top health care concern

Aug 20, 2015

PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release August 20, 2015 Contact: John Rother… Read More