AARP Urges Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-03-31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2009
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Jordan McNerney or Jim Dau
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AARP Urges Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
“Consumers lose when drug makers are able to delay competition by paying off generic manufacturers”
WASHINGTON—AARP today testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection for its hearing on “The Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2009” (H.R. 1706). The legislation, sponsored by Reps. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Henry Waxman (D-CA), will help bring lower cost generic drugs to market sooner by preventing abuses in patent settlements between generic and brand prescription drug companies.
“Lowering prescription drug prices will be a critical part of comprehensive health reform,” said AARP Board Member Joanne Handy, who delivered the Association’s testimony. “Generic drugs have proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways for consumers to lower their prescription drug costs. Consumers lose when drug makers are able to delay competition by paying off generic manufacturers.
“AARP is proud to endorse ‘The Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act,’ which will put an end to patent settlements that jeopardize the availability of safe, less expensive generic drugs. We look forward to working with Reps. Rush and Waxman and their colleagues to pass their legislation as a part of health reform this year.”
AARP’s health reform campaign is working to lower prescription drug costs through a variety of changes including ending patent abuse, allowing for the safe and legal importation of lower priced prescription drugs from abroad, closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap, allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and creating a pathway for the approval of safe generic biologic drugs.
For a complete copy of AARP’s testimony to the subcommittee, please contact the Media Relations office at the number above.
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