A wave of questions surrounds the transparency and future impact of PresidentDonald Trump's recent efforts to lower drug prices. As the administration pushes to make medicines more affordable, lawmakers demand clarity on the details behind Trump's secret negotiations with big pharmaceutical firms.
During a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, members pressed industry leaders for details. Concerns boiled over about what exactly was agreed upon, who benefits, and whether these deals will stick.
Rachel Sachs, a law professor at Washington University,voiced her doubts.
'We don't know basic things like which drugs are included, what the agreed-upon prices are, and to whom they will be available?' Sachs posed the question.
'And how does the government have any ability to detect and enforce violations of these agreements?' she pressed on.
PhRMA CEO Lori Reilly responded, saying they'd just 'have to take their word for it' that the deals benefit consumers. Her tone drew sharp criticism fromNew JerseyRep. Frank Pallone, the committee's ranking member.
'It's absurd for me to take the word for it. I mean, that's not what we do,' Pallone said. 'We don't take the word for anybody. We question, we do oversight, we look into it.'
Last week, the Trump administrationunveiled TrumpRx.com, a new websitepromising Americans access to lower-cost prescriptions. It offers coupons for 43 drugs, including fertility treatments and weight-loss medications.
The aim: make medications cheaper, especially for uninsured Americans.
Trump announced, 'Starting tonight, dozens of the most commonly used prescription drugs will be available at dramatic discounts for all consumers throughout a new website.'
Source: International Business Times UK
