Statement from Margarida Jorge, campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now, on the Biden Administration’s new plan to lower prescription drug prices: 

Today President Biden made it abundantly clear that lowering prescription drug prices is essential for our country to ‘Build Back Better.’ As Congress debates the reconciliation bill, we urge members to follow through on their promises with this once-in-a-generation opportunity to make prescription drugs more affordable and show they are on the side of patients.

The President’s support for allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices would not only lower costs for seniors, families and employers, but it would also produce half a trillion dollars in savings for taxpayers. This money could be used to expand our nation’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure that every person has affordable health care they need.

Comprehensive reform to prescription drug pricing is overwhelmingly popular because Americans across the political spectrum are tired of being priced out of the medicines they need to survive. In fact, 87% of seniors are in support of Medicare negotiating lower drug prices.

Ending the pharmaceutical industry’s monopoly control over drug pricing is long overdue. It’s time to put healthcare before wealthcare—no one should have to worry about affording the medicines they need, especially when pharmaceutical corporations continue to be the most profitable sector in the nation. The American people expect Democrats in Congress to live up to their promise to ‘Build Back Better’ and lower the price of prescription drugs.