Tag: big pharma

HHS finally releases documents showing wave of dubious vaccine contracts with big pharmaceutical companies

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On Saturday, while America slowly came to grips with the joy of breathing again for the first time in years, Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released some documents related to its “Operation Warp Speed” COVID-19 vaccination initiative. By “some,” I mean a ton of documents. NPRreports this enormous dump, done while the inevitable end of Donald Trump’s regime was clear to anyone not named Donald Trump, includes all kinds of wild details about billion-dollar deals with big pharmaceutical companies. One of those details is that “customary protections against potential future price-gouging” aren’t in the contracts.

Trump and his team of ne’er-do-wells have been gaslighting the public with confusing and fact-free information about a coronavirus vaccine for months. As with everything else Trump has said in his entire life, he’s lied while trying to line his pockets (or the pockets of people he hopes will line his pockets). This has led to a very real and very understandable wariness on the part of most Americans concerning any announcement by the Trump administration about a safe vaccine.

HHS, through a spokesperson, told NPR that “Operation Warp Speed has long publicly stated its commitment to being as transparent as possible.” And then that spokesperson went on to lie some more about how these contracts are totally fine. However, once again, the issue here is that the Trump administration has created a program that is not simply the opposite of “transparent,” but consistently and deliberately created to circumvent any traditional oversight on the use of taxpayer funds. Continue reading.

Pharmaceutical industry group sues to stop Minnesota’s new insulin aid program

The suit says the program takes drugmakers’ property without compensation.

A pharmaceutical industry group is suing the state of Minnesota over its new insulin affordability program, which takes effect Wednesday.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, says the program the Legislature passed in April is unconstitutional and that drugmakers already offer alternatives to help people with diabetes. They are seeking a permanent injunction barring the state from enforcing the insulin act.

The lawmakers and advocates who fought for the measure argued that the existing programs drug companies provide are insufficient. After a protracted political battle at the State Capitol, they reached a deal legislators said would ensure people struggling with the skyrocketing price of the critical drug have a low-cost resource to secure it. Continue reading.

Drug price outrage threatens to be liability for GOP

The Hill logoThe GOP’s reluctance to challenge rising prescription drug costs could be a political liability for the party in 2020.

Outrage over increasing prices has propelled the issue to the top of voters’ minds heading into the November elections, when Republicans hope to keep control of the Senate and retake the House.

But proposals that would limit what drug companies can charge for their products face opposition from Republicans, presenting an obstacle to congressional passage.  Continue reading.

LETTER: Phillips advocates for lower insulin costs, Paulsen is lobbying for big pharma

To the editor:

Oh, how times have changed. Reading about how Rep. Dean Phillips has been advocating for lowering insulin costs in Congress with H.R. 4010, has me both excited and astounded.

A year ago, with Erik Paulsen we would have never seen our District Three representative working for such an important bill. In fact, Paulsen is now lobbying for big pharma. The ones who are trying their hardest to make life saving medicine inaccessible to people who do not have the means to pay the ridiculously high prices. But, Rep. Phillips is acknowledging how high insulin prices are and the inaccessibility with working on The Emergency Access to Insulin Act (H.R. 4010).

The bill will not only help people get emergency supplies now, but also plan for the future with how to continue having access to insulin.

We have long needed a solution to this crisis and with a person like Phillips in office we are finally seeing one start to arise.

Madeline Pukite, Minnetonka
August 13, 2019

ICYMI: Wall Street Journal: Drugmakers Raise Prices on Hundreds of Medicines

Trump promised to bring down prescriptions drug costs. Instead, he gave massive tax breaks to pharmaceutical companies and did nothing to actually lower costs. Now, pharmaceutical companies are once again raising drug prices.

Wall Street Journal: Drugmakers Raise Prices on Hundreds of Medicines, By Jared S. Hopkins

Pharmaceutical companies are ringing in the new year by raising the price of hundreds of drugs, with Allergan AGN 0.65% PLC setting the pace with increases of nearly 10% on more than two dozen products, according to a new analysis.

[…]

More than three dozen drugmakers raised the prices on hundreds of medicines in the U.S. on Tuesday, according to an analysis from Rx Savings Solutions, which sells software to help employers and health plans choose the least-expensive medicines. The average increase was 6.3%, according to the analysis, including increases on different doses for the same drug.

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Big Pharma has hand in election

Erik Paulsen has repeatedly maintained, “I do what’s right for my constituents regardless of who donates to me.”

And, receive donations, he does: Paulsen ranks sixth of 435 U.S. representatives for the amount of money he receives from PACs: over $2 million. Is it really possible that Paulsen is unaffected by this money?

As a nurse practitioner who prescribes drugs, Minnesota law prohibits me from taking more than $50 annually from any pharmaceutical or other such company. Why? Because research consistently shows that I would likely be influenced by any gift provided me. A 2017 study found that professionals who received gifts from pharmaceutical companies not only prescribe more drugs, but more costly ones, compared to those who did not receive gifts. A big difference in my case: Any company who might gift me with a meal, an education credit, a book a pen or other, is not able to track if I am actually prescribing the drug they are promoting. Continue reading “Big Pharma has hand in election”

REAL STORIES: Americans Struggle With Rising Drug Costs As Pharma Companies Make Record Profits

Trump said he would stand up to the pharmaceutical industry and bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Instead, pharmaceutical companies continue to make record profits while Americans across the country struggle to get the life-saving care they need.

Drug companies’ stocks are on track to have their best quarter in five years after soaring to an all-time high last week.

CNBC: “The S&P 500 health-care sector has been on a tear in recent months, on track for its best quarter in five years and surging to an all-time high on Friday. Names such as Eli Lilly, Biogen and Pfizer are among the biggest winners in the last three months, with double-digit gains.”

Meanwhile, Americans continue to struggle to get the life-saving care they need due to rising prescription drug costs.

AARP: “In 2017, retail prices for 267 brand name prescription drugs widely used by older adults increased by an average of 8.4 percent. In contrast, the general inflation rate was 2.1 percent over the same period.” Continue reading “REAL STORIES: Americans Struggle With Rising Drug Costs As Pharma Companies Make Record Profits”

‘Trump Fails at Lowering Drug Prices as Costs Keep Going Up’

Trump is a puppet of the pharmaceutical industry. Despite Trump’s promises to lower drug prices and stand up the pharmaceutical industry, costs continue to increase and his drug plan included proposals given to his White House behind closed doors by Novartis, a giant pharmaceutical company. It’s not wonder Big Pharma loved his plan.

Despite Trump’s promises to lower drug prices, costs keep going up and pharmaceutical companies have already made 3,653 increases this year.

Bloomberg: “Trump Fails at Lowering Drug Prices as Costs Keep Going Up”

Wall Street Journal: “So far this year, companies have made 3,653 price increases on 1,045 different drug products, according to Raymond James & Associates, even as President Donald Trump and other members of his administration have criticized such moves.” Continue reading “‘Trump Fails at Lowering Drug Prices as Costs Keep Going Up’”

Big Pharma Swamp Alert: Joe Grogan

The following article was posted on the trumpaccountable.org website June 17, 2017:

Despite Donald Trump campaigning vigorously for more reasonable drug prices for Americans throughout the campaign, the Big Pharma lobby has established itself as a force that Donald Trump is unable or unwilling to challenge. One of the most pointed examples of this is the appointment of Joe Grogan, a lobbyist for pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences for the past five years, to the Office of Management and Budget and the office of health programs.

According to Grogan’s LinkedIn page he worked at Gilead Sciences as “Head of Federal Affairs” for over five years until joining the OMB this March. While at Gilead, Grogan was involved in high profile lobbying – including Gilead’s controversial pricing of drugs developed to cure hepatitis C –  and otherwise worked to represent the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry. Continue reading “Big Pharma Swamp Alert: Joe Grogan”