Pelosi Prescription Briefing Highlights Immediate Need for Action on Prescription Price Gouging
Experts Can Explain How Legislation Can Stop Prescription Corporations From Extorting the American People
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will hold a press event Wednesday morning to discuss H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The Speaker’s plan envisions direct government price negotiation with drugmakers backed by tax penalties, using prices paid in other wealthy nations as one of several reference points.
Public Citizen’s experts can discuss H.R. 3’s features, its capacity to generate savings and some of its limitations, including its limited tools to address the high and rising prices of medicines when they are first placed on the market.
Below are two experts who are available to speak about the merits and limitations of H.R. 3 and how it can be strengthened and improved.
Peter Maybarduk, director, Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines Program
pmaybarduk@citizen.org, (202) 588-7755
Maybarduk can comment on how communities and governments can help overcome U.S. pharmaceutical monopolies to benefit more patients. He is an intellectual property expert and can explain prescription pricing, trade and technology policies.
Steve Knievel, advocate, Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines Program
sknievel@citizen.org, (202) 588-7769
Knievel can comment on expanding affordable access to medicines. Knievel is an expert in policy matters affecting drug pricing and access to medicines in the U.S.