Patients For Affordable Drugs
Patients For Affordable Drugs is the only national patient advocacy organization exclusively focused on lowering prescription drug prices. We empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold accountable those in power, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States.
Unlike the majority of patient advocacy organizations, we do not accept funding from any organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.
P4AD was founded in 2016 by David Mitchell. Following his diagnosis with an incurable blood cancer in 2010. He was shocked to discover that the medicines he needed to stay alive were priced at over $300,000 a year before insurance. Today, the price for those same drugs is more than $1 million per year. Recognizing that patient advocacy groups free from pharmaceutical industry influence were absent from the debates shaping drug pricing policy, David launched P4AD to challenge the industry’s control over the system and give patients a seat at the table.
Through digital and grassroots mobilization and advocacy, P4AD has grown into a powerful force for change in the fight to lower drug prices in the United States.
Patients for Affordable Drugs played a crucial role in fighting to enact the historic new law to lower the prices of medications. Millions of older people are already seeing significant savings, but more needs to be done so that all Americans can afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. We are proud to work alongside P4AD to ensure patients can get the drugs they need at a price they can afford.
Nancy LeaMondExecutive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, AARP
Our community of patients played a pivotal role in the passage of the 2022 prescription drug law, a historic new law that includes groundbreaking reforms to lower prescription drug prices for millions of Americans on Medicare. Our origin story exemplifies the transformative power of patient advocacy. What started as one person’s fight against an unjust system has become a movement of more than 36,000 patients who have shared their stories and hundreds of thousands more people in our community demanding changes to a system that for too long has prioritized corporate interests over patients’ lives. By centering the experiences of those most harmed by high drug costs, we can change this paradigm.
Yes, we are a proudly bipartisan organization. Our board of directors includes Democrats and Republicans, and we are committed to working with policymakers from both parties. Disease doesn’t know political affiliation so we are focused on policy, not politics. Whether it’s advocating for reforms to our system, engaging with Congressional committees, or educating policymakers in the Administration, we advocate for proposals that help make prescription drugs more affordable for patients. Patients and allies agree – prescription drug prices are too high, and we’re working to fix that.
We are funded through several sources. For our most recent fiscal year, 2024, David and Nicole Mitchell contributed $25,000. David also donates his time pro bono. Nate Mitchell contributed $15,000. We received a grant for $455,000 from Arnold Ventures. Fidelity Charitable contributed $350,000. The Opportunity Fund contributed $10,000. We received $29,235 in small-dollar donations from the community.
We’re always grateful for your support in any amount–large or small! If you want to contribute, you can donate here. Your generosity will be put to good use – helping us to expand our outreach, supporting patient-led story-telling initiatives, and fueling our work to lower drug prices. However, if you or someone you know has experienced high drug prices, one of the most impactful ways to support our mission is by sharing your story. Your voice is powerful and can help drive meaningful change.
Yes. We are committed to ensuring that the fight for affordable prescription drugs includes Latino and Spanish-speaking communities across the United States. We aim to empower Latino patients whose preferred language is Spanish to share their stories, understand policy reforms, and join us in advocating for lower drug prices Please start by visiting our Ley de Reducción de la Inflación, La Lucha por la Competencia, and Lucha Contra Farma sites in Spanish to learn more. Additionally, if you or a family member would like to share your story with us in Spanish, they can share their story here Comparte tu Historia. Tienes una pregunta? Escríbenos a: [email protected]
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