Recent developments indicate a growing push for transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly concerning high prescription drug prices. Pharma's recent attack on Medicare drug price negotiation has been suggested to potentially benefit President Biden by highlighting his efforts to reduce prescription drug costs. Senators, including Senator Lankford, are advocating for clarity on the role of pharmaceutical middlemen in escalating prescription costs, calling for accountability alongside Senator Grassley and Senator Cantwell. Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed his dissatisfaction with the CEOs of Johnson & Johnson and Merck for refusing to appear before the HELP Committee to discuss drug pricing. Sanders has proposed subpoenaing these CEOs, and a survey by STAT suggests there is consideration among key lawmakers for this action. Sanders remains confident that compelling testimony from drug company executives could lead to significant reforms in drug pricing.
Sen. Bernie Sanders says Merck's CEO declined to testify at a Senate hearing because he's an attorney and not a drug pricing expert https://t.co/aDxiEs0tti
Sen. Bernie Sanders said he is confident that forcing drug company CEOs to testify about high prices can result in meaningful changes. https://t.co/TGOChPzYW6 https://t.co/fSgyqg8hA9
STAT surveyed key lawmakers on whether they would support Sen. Bernie Sanders' proposal to subpoena the CEOs of Merck and J&J over high drug prices. https://t.co/4KNr9FtcHL
LIVE: It is absolutely unacceptable that the CEOs of Johnson & Johnson and Merck have refused to appear before the HELP Committee to discuss the outrageously high price of prescription drugs. The American people want answers. https://t.co/O2GPPbxYJR
Americans deserve transparency on how pharmaceutical middlemen are driving up the costs of their prescriptions. Read more about how I’m pushing for accountability with @ChuckGrassley & @SenatorCantwell ⬇️ https://t.co/aUxwGQOtA4
Pharma’s attack on Medicare drug price negotiation could benefit Biden by reminding voters he’s trying to cut high prescription drug prices. https://t.co/A8Njt05Vdy