Democrats Demand More Information on Administration’s COVID-19 Contracts

House Democrats are calling for more details of the Trump administration’s coronavirus research contracts with pharma companies.

House Reps. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), the respective chairs of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis and the Committee on Oversight and Reform, claimed in a letter to HHS that the department has not disclosed the full terms of its contracts with pharma companies, and they also want to know how intellectual property rights of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines will be handled.

The two lawmakers asked for documentation for all COVID-19 contracts granted by HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Next program, a separate government initiative designed to encourage innovation during health emergencies.

In addition, they asked for details on how HHS will ensure that any approved treatments or vaccines are priced fairly.

“It endangers all of us if companies are allowed to charge exorbitant prices that cause families to hesitate or even decline to obtain vaccines or treatments,” they said.

The lawmakers requested the documents and information by June 16.

Read the letter here: www.fdanews.com/06-04-20-Letter.pdf. — James Miessler