25 October 2018 - Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl issued the following statement.

“The administration is imposing foreign price controls from countries with socialised health care systems that deny their citizens access and discourage innovation. These proposals are to the detriment of American patients. The United States has a competitive marketplace that controls costs and provides patients with access to innovative medicines far earlier than in countries with price controls, and it’s why we lead the world in drug discovery and development. Americans have access to cancer medicines on average about two years earlier than in developed countries like in the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

“The proposed Medicare Part B model would jeopardise access to medicines for seniors and patients with disabilities living with devastating conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The administration’s proposal will also hinder patient access by severely altering the market-based Medicare Part B program by reducing physician reimbursement and inserting middlemen between patients and their physicians.

“We oppose changes to Medicare that threaten patient access to innovative, lifesaving medicines and are disappointed the administration put the needs of patients aside with these proposals.”

Read Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America statement