Photo Credit: NVinacco, Flickr, Creative Commons.
Nearly one in five people in the U.S. do not fill a prescription because they cannot afford it. Meanwhile, transnational pharmaceutical corporations fill their coffers with outrageously priced drugs — and get away with it because of their monopoly of power.
The prescription drug industry is one of the most profitable and powerful in the United States. Giant corporations like Pfizer and Bayer can set prices to wildly increase their profits — with utter disregard to people’s health. Here’s just one example: In 2007, EpiPen, which saves people’s lives from serious allergic reactions, cost $57. Today a single EpiPen costs over $500.
It is morally wrong that some people have to choose between filling a prescription that could save their lives and paying for things like food on the table, a roof over their heads, or transportation to get them to their jobs.
But there’s something you can do about it right now. There’s a bill in Congress that would curb the power of Big Pharma. We’re teaming up with a dozen other organizations to send a clear message to Congress: Protect people by ending Big Pharma’s abuses.
Big Pharma uses its power to charge people in the United States more than any other country in the world.
That is why Congress must act. Passing the Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act would:
- Roll back prescription drug corporation monopolies to increase competition and make medicines affordable for everyone.
- Hold to account companies that engage in price gouging, fraud, and other abuses.
- Allow Medicare to negotiate fair drug prices and lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
- Require transparency from drug corporations, including financial information like profits and pricing data.
We can’t stand by and continue to let Big Pharma gouge elderly people, people facing life-threatening diseases, and all of us trying to live healthy lives. Take action and urge your members of Congress to protect people from Big Pharma.
Thanks for all you do.
