WASHINGTON, DC — Today, patients will testify before Congress on the destructive impact of rising prescription drug prices. The hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will take place at 9:30 a.m. and will feature three advocates from Patients For Affordable Drugs. Watch a webcast of the event here.
“There is bipartisan support to rein in Big Pharma’s monopoly pricing power, and we are grateful for the opportunity to underscore the crushing impact runaway drug prices have on American families,” said David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs. “Four out of five Americans say lowering drug prices should be Congress’s number one priority. It’s time for Washington to stand up to Big Pharma and enact reforms to bring prices down.” EXCERPTS FROM PATIENT TESTIMONY: David Mitchell, a cancer patient and the founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs: “Our current system is not working. We pay 2-3 times what other countries pay for the exact same drugs. One big reason is that other countries negotiate. We should too.” Ashley Krege, a Texan who took Humira: “To say this was a financial hardship would be an understatement. After months of successful pain and symptom management on Humira, I was informed that the drug maker, AbbVie, raised the price. My new monthly payment was going to be almost $1,100 a month.” Pam Holt, an Indiana grandmother who refinanced her home to afford her cancer medication: “I spent my life doing all the right things — contributing to my community, teaching in public schools, raising my children — it is unfair that despite my hard work and careful planning, I must face financial challenges because of cancer I have no control over.” For interviews, contact juliana@p4adnow.org. ###
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