Congress Looking at Ways to Lower Drug Prices

from Ntl Family Voices:

 

Notwithstanding the partisan divide behind the partial government shut-down, Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and both chambers of Congress are looking at various ways they might be able to reduce drug prices. See 7 Ideas to Lower Drug Prices (Fiscal Times, 1/14/19); As Congress Returns, Lawmakers Rush to Detail Drug-Pricing Agendas (STAT, 1/9/19). Some of these efforts are even bipartisan. For example, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, which Senator Klobuchar had previously introduced with the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ). See Klobuchar press release. That bill would allow individuals to procure drugs from Canada for their personal use. A similar bill has been introduced in the House by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME). At the same time, the new chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) is launching a broad investigation into manufacturers' drug-pricing policies. See Oversight Launches Major Drug Pricing Investigation (The Hill, 1/14/19).