CSRxP on PhRMA’s Multimillion-Dollar PR Campaign

CSRxP Statement on PhRMA Launching 
Multimillion-Dollar Public Relations Campaign

Today CSRxP released the following statement from Executive Director John Rother, following PhRMA’s announcement of a multimillion-dollar public relations campaign:

“Today Big Pharma launched a $100 million advertising campaign to make Americans forget about their price gouging. That’s nothing new: Big Pharma spends more on advertising than they do on actual research. But no amount of advertising will make hardworking families forget the consequences of their out-of-control drug costs. They feel the impact every time they choose between paying bills, buying groceries, or refilling a medication they need to stay healthy.”

Examples of massive price hikes by PhRMA members: 

Hypertension

According to the CDC, about 75 million American adults (29%) have high blood pressure and only half have their condition under control.

• Benicar | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 164%^ (Daiichi Sankyo)
• Diovan | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 137%^ (Novartis)
• Benicar HCT | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 132%^ (Daiichi Sankyo)

Diabetes

Rising insulin prices are placing a financial hardship on patients and have become the subject of extensive news coverage. According to the CDC, more than 29 million Americans have diabetes.

• Humulin R U-500 | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 500%^ (Lilly)
• Lantus INJ | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 160%^ (Sanofi)
• Levemir INJ | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 154%^ (Novo Nordisk)
• Byetta | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 126%^ (AstraZeneca)
• Novolog MIX 70/30 | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 119%^ (Novo Nordisk)

High Cholesterol

According to the CDC, more than 102 million Americans 20 years or older have total cholesterol levels above healthy levels.

• Zetia | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 121%^ (Merck)
• Vytorin | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 103%^ (Merck)
• Crestor | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 103%^ (AstraZeneca)
• Lipitor | Percent increase between 2007 and 2014 – 102%^ (Pfizer)

Sources:

^*MedicaidDrug Spending Dashboard 2015
^** Medicare Drug Spending Dashboard 2015
^{^} Bloomberg Database – Drug Prices Soar for Top-Selling Brands