RxforAmericanHealth publisher supports Task Force on Lowering prices, calls for additional Congressional leadership

Publisher's note:  The following is a copy of a letter sent today (January 12, 2016) by RxforAmericanHelath Publisher Daniel Hines to members of the Democrat Task Force designed to lower prescription drug prices.  In the letter, we support the intent of the Task Force, but urge them to expand their scope from the spike in generic drug prices to more comprehensive, bi-partisan legislation that will address the 'public (and Congress) be damned attitude of Pharma as it continues to charge whatever it wishes for medicines. This is the launch of what we believe will be a 'watershed year' that could finally end the pricing abuse of pharma,  with Congressional action that recognizes that a medicine that is unaffordable is, in and of itself, unavailable.  As many have noted, a medicine that is denied is of no health benefit. The letter follows:

I am writing in my capacity as publisher of the TodaysSeniorsNetwork group of nationally followed and read blogs,  including RxforAmericanHealth, to support your of  Congressional efforts with the formation of the Affordable Drug Pricing Task Force to lower prescription medicine prices for Americans.

It is time for Congress to pass comprehensive, bi-partisan legislation that will direct the Food and Drug Administration to act in a manner to facilitate access to safe, affordable medicines for Americans and to end the pricing abuses we continue to witness from Pharma in complete disregard of criticism from policy-makers the media and, yes, even Congress. This is a leading issue of the 2016 elections , and can be expected to grow in importance, as increasing numbers of Americans face the reality that a medicine that is unaffordable is, in and of itself, unavailable. 

I am a supporter of personal importation of safe, affordable brand-name prescription medicines from licensed, registered pharmacies in Tier One Countries whose standards of safety and efficacy meet or exceed those of the U.S.  However, I, and a growing number of Americans, realize that rather than a reliance upon a single solution, what is needed is a comprehensive approach to lowering prescription medicine prices.  This includes:

1.  Price negotiation;

2.  A ‘stakeholder’ role for the American public that supports so much of Pharma R&D,by an increased presence of consumer advocates and private citizen in policy development, hearings, and opportunities for public comment;

3.  A  revised patent policy that ensures the public investment in R&D is protected in legislation that will provide penalties if Pharma is abusive in its pricing practices;

4.  Reciprocal Memorandums of Understanding between regulatory agencies of Tier One Countries as validation of the safety and efficacy of the oversight of personally imported medicines from those countries;

5.  Criminal penalties for abuse of pricing practices based on a ‘what the traffic will bear’ philosophy;

6.  Greater transparency in Pharma pricing practices;

7.  An end to direct to consumer advertising for prescription medicines.

I am including links to three articles I hope you and your staff will find helpful.  I am sending this to your office via fax so you shall have a ‘hard copy’ for your consideration,.  I am also emailing it to your healthcare legislative aide. 

1. RxforAmericanHealth publisher calls for bi-partisan Consensus, Coalition legislation in Congress To lower prescription costs...The publisher of Rx for American Health is calling for a coalition of Senators and Representatives and their staffs to reach consensus on a single comprehensive bill incorporating major points of a number of disparate legislative proposals to lower prescription medicine prices, and to be prepared to offer their bill immediately with the reconvening of the  114th Congress in January 2016…

2    Why High Drug Prices require an Rx Bill of Rights for Americans…The publisher of RxforAmericanHealth has called for both the Democrats and Republicans to address the issue the impact of rising prescription drug costs by incorporating into their Party platforms an American Rx Bill of Rights…(continue) Time for A Congressional Caucus to support Congress moves on Personal Importation…

3.  The publisher of RxforAmericanHealth says that it is time for Congress to form a Congressional Caucus to support recently introduced legislative proposals on behalf of the personal importation of safe, affordable prescription medicines, and to act as a watchdog to prevent the potential of abuse by the Food and Drug Administration of Section 708 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act (FDASIA) with the unwarranted destruction of valid, safe medicines personally imported by Americans…(continue)

Thank you for taking the time to review these materials.  I shall look forward to your response.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the contact information listed at the top of this letter.
Daniel Hines