WASHINGTON, DC — In light of the news that CMS will empower Medicare Advantage plans to negotiate for Part B drugs by using step therapy, Patients For Affordable Drugs President and Founder David Mitchell issued the following statement:

“I appreciate Secretary Azar’s work to curb rising drug prices. Today’s action to give Medicare Advantage plans greater leverage in negotiations with drug corporations is a small but positive step in Part B. As a patient, I understand concerns about the potential misuse of step therapy, but as long as patients are protected with a timely and workable appeals process, allowing step therapy in Medicare Advantage is a step I can support. I hope that moving forward, announcements will lower list prices and generate greater savings than today’s news.”