Lawmakers Urge Pharma Not to Pass the Buck—Or Risk Losing A Lot of Them

Washington’s patience with the drug industry is wearing thin and the latest sign comes in a letter from eight Republican senators to PhRMA seeking answers—and not excuses—for rising drug prices.

The senators invited the trade group to come up with answers to the problem, but also included some messages bound to chill the spine of the industry lobby.

“We cannot understand why Americans pay two to six times more than the rest of the world for brand name prescription drugs or why the U.S. comprised 42 percent of global pharmaceutical revenues…” the letter stated. “The system needs to change.”

The June 5 letter was signed by Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Braun of Indiana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Cyndy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi and Dan Sullivan of Alaska.

“In Washington, there is often too much finger pointing and not enough problem solving,” the letter said. “We do not accept that.”