Statement from Margarida Jorge, campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now, on the House’s reintroduction of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act:

Americans pay more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world because the United States government gives drug corporations monopoly control to set and keep prices high, even though most medicines approved by the FDA are developed with taxpayer funding. The industry’s well-paid lobbyists have been successful in maintaining this status quo, leaving Americans with a healthcare system they believe is set up to benefit corporations over them and their families — until now.

Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do what Americans have been promised for years — to finally lower drug prices once and for all, putting patients before Big Pharma profits. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is a great first step toward ensuring that more medicines will be affordable and accessible to those who need them, but we urge Congress not to stop there. We need expansive reform that takes away Big Pharma’s power to price-gouge and that guarantees everyone, no matter their age, insurance status or income, can get medicines they need to stay healthy and take care of their families.