WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott, along with Senators Josh Hawley, Marco Rubio, Ron Johnson, Mike Braun, Kevin Cramer, Cindy Hyde-Smith and Dan Sullivan, sent a letter to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America asking that they provide solutions to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Senator Scott is committed to lowering the cost of prescription drugs and putting the American consumer back in charge of their healthcare decisions.

This year, Senator Scott introduced his America First Drug Pricing Plan to address the soaring costs of prescription drugs by promoting transparency and preventing drug companies from forcing American consumers to subsidize low drug prices in foreign countries. He also introduced the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act to end the practice of surprise medical billing and the Prescription Drug Price Reporting Act to create a consumer-friendly database of prescription drug prices.

Read the letter HERE or below.

June 5, 2019

Mr. Stephen J. Ubl

President and CEO

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

Dear Mr. Ubl,

We hear it every day in our states. Drug prices are too high. Patients are paying more and more every year for life-saving drugs, and some are forced to go without those treatments because they simply cannot afford them.

Soaring drug prices are a serious problem and a problem Washington should have addressed long ago. We cannot understand why Americans pay two to six times more than the rest of the world for brand name prescription drugs or why the U.S. comprised 42% of global pharmaceutical revenues based on 2016 data. American consumers should not be subsidizing European countries so they can keep prices low for their consumers. The system needs to change.

Transparency in health care costs is key to giving patients flexibility and control over their health care decisions. American consumers should always come first, and it is time for U.S. companies to be more transparent and bring down the prices of prescription drugs for Americans relative to Canada, Europe and other developed nations.

We write today to ask, as the trade association representing the pharmaceutical industry, what solutions does your association have that would increase transparency and directly lower the list price of drugs for consumers? What specific plans do you have to address price disparities in the international market? And are you willing to work with us to find real solutions to help the American people?

In Washington, there is often too much finger pointing and not enough problem solving. We do not accept that. We are working to find solutions that directly help patients get the health care they deserve. Thank you in advance for your response. We look forward to your cooperation as we work together to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Sincerely,

Senator Rick Scott

Senator Josh Hawley

Senator Marco Rubio

Senator Ron Johnson

Senator Mike Braun

Senator Kevin Cramer

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator Dan Sullivan

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