House Panel Polls Pharmaceutical Sector on Reasons for High Drug Prices

Lawmakers once again waded into the reasons for rising drug prices, as a House panel invited a diverse group of industry representatives to weigh in on the main causes and to propose solutions.

Conflict was inevitable as 10 witnesses testified on behalf of the different stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain — including drugmakers, trade groups, insurance companies, hospitals, patients, physicians, pharmacies and benefit managers.

The majority of witnesses discounted criticism of their own members and said the blame lay elsewhere, while lawmakers said they were concerned over projections that U.S. spending on medicines could top $500 billion next year.