CSRXP STATEMENT ON SENATE CONFIRMATION OF XAVIER BECERRA AS SECRETARY OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Campaign Looks Forward to Working with Secretary Becerra to Lower Drug Prices and Hold Big Pharma Accountable

Washington, D.C. – The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) issued a statement today after the United States Senate voted to confirm Xavier Becerra as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“CSRxP congratulates Secretary Becerra on his confirmation, and we look forward to working with him and the entire administration to advance bipartisan, market-based solutions to lower prescription drug prices,” said CSRxP executive director Lauren Aronson. “Secretary Becerra has a demonstrated track record of standing up for consumers and we commend him for pledging to work across party lines to lower drug prices and hold Big Pharma accountable during his confirmation hearings.”

“It will be particularly critical for Secretary Becerra to encourage greater prescription drug pricing transparency, foster generic and biosimilar competition, cut through drug companies’ blame game by pulling back the misguided Rebate Rule and crack down on Big Pharma’s egregious price-gouging and anti-competitive practices,” Aronson continued. “We look forward to working with Secretary Becerra and the Department to advance our mutually stared goals of lowering drug prices, improving affordability, and advancing the health of American patients.”

During confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and Committee on Finance, Secretary Becerra highlighted his record of hold Big Pharma accountable and his commitment to tackling out-of-control drug prices.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “The price that we are paying for some of these prescription drugs is far higher than it should be… I took on a number of the pharmaceutical companies by trying to go behind the curtain of how they reach their pricing.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/23/21)

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Becerra: “I think there is unanimity – bipartisan support – for tackling the high cost of prescription medication. I can assure you that that will be one of my priorities, to deal with it swiftly.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/23/21)

Secretary Becerra also committed to working with members of both parties to lower prescription drug prices.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “President Biden wants to see us lower the price of prescription medicine and he and his team and if I’m fortunate to be part of that team, will be working with you on a bipartisan fashion to reach a solution.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Hearing to Consider the Nomination of The Honorable Xavier Becerra, of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/24/21)

Becerra also emphasized his support for the 340B program that has come under egregious assault from Big Pharma:

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “340B is an indispensable program for some of our most underserved communities. It works with our safety net providers to make sure that some of these forgotten communities have access to some of the essential medications that they need for a reasonable price. And so what we must do is make sure that the law is followed.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/23/21)

And Secretary Becerra called the previous administration’s misguided Rebate Rule “rushed” while making a commitment to protecting seniors under the Medicare Part D program and highlight the need to focus on out-of-control prices. The Pharma-backed policy would increase premiums on American seniors who rely on Part D for their prescription drug coverage.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “Right now, we have a proposal that I believe was rushed out that in many ways would take sides in this debate. I would simply say that we have to protect the Part D program for our seniors and do it the right way. (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/23/21)

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra: “We have to make sure that all of us agree, that whatever we’re going to do – whether it’s on rebates or anything to do with prescription drugs – we’re letting our seniors on Medicare know that we’re going to fight to lower the price.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Hearing to Consider the Nomination of The Honorable Xavier Becerra, of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2/24/21)

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