Big Pharma Greed 'Literally Killing Americans,' Sanders Says Outside Drug Lobby HQ

[Uncle Joe]

Sen. Bernie Sanders and progressive activists rally at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America headquarters in Washington, D.C. on September 21, 2021. (Photo: People's Action)

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and progressive healthcare campaigners from across the U.S. rallied at the headquarters of Big Pharma's top lobbying group on Tuesday to denounce the industry's ongoing effort to tank Democrats' prescription drug-pricing reforms, including a plan to let Medicare negotiate soaring medicine costs.

Gathered at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's (PhRMA) main office building in Washington, D.C., advocates with People's Action and other groups delivered a letter (pdf) demanding an end to the for-profit drug industry's "meddling in our democracy and influence in Congress."

The letter, addressed to PhRMA CEO Stephen Ubl and signed by nearly thirty progressive organizations, notes that "nearly one in four Americans taking prescription drugs have trouble affording their medications."

"People regularly skip doses or don't fill prescriptions that they need because they are too expensive. This results in pain and suffering, further compromised health conditions, and even death. Most people agree this is unacceptable," the letter reads. "But because of the greed and lobbying by organizations like yours, our elected officials are coerced into defending the high costs of prescription drugs, rather than defending their constituents who desperately need their medications."

(snip)

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/09/21/big-pharma-greed-literally-killing-americans-sanders-says-outside-drug-lobby-hq

[BlueJac]

1. With help from Congress critters