Panel holds hearing on on prescription drugs

Hearing featured testimony from experts on pricing as well as representatives from drug corporations.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Health Committee held a public hearing Tuesday on prescription drug prices. The hearing featured testimony from experts on prescription drug pricing as well as representatives from drug corporations. A group of Pennsylvanians impacted by high prescription drug prices attended the hearing.

“Out-of-control drug costs are hurting Pennsylvanians,” said Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network in response to the hearing, “and we’re pleased to see members of the General Assembly giving this issue the attention it deserves. But, hearings aren’t enough. With Washington DC stuck in gridlock, lawmakers need to move forward quickly and take bold action to lower prescription drug prices and deliver much-needed relief to Pennsylvanians.”

Prescription drug prices are soaring, and Pennsylvanians are feeling the impact. According to a recent study, Pennsylvanians are struggling to afford the prescription drugs they need, often choosing between medications and necessities like food, rent, or utilities.

Recent research by the Healthcare Value Hub at Altarum showed that one in five Pennsylvanians did not fill a prescription due to cost; one in six Pennsylvanians skipped doses or cut pills in half to save money, and two in three Pennsylvanians are worried that the prescriptions they need will become unaffordable in the future.

Following the hearing, Anna Corbin, mother of two children from Hanover, Pennsylvania who struggles to afford needed medications said, “I have multiple health issues related to a genetic condition called Noonan Syndrome, including iron deficiency anemia. My health is declining because I am unable to afford the high cost of an expensive iron replacement medication. As caregiver to two sons with disabilities, I am extremely worried that my inability to afford treatment will affect my sons’ livelihoods. I’m glad to see lawmakers looking into this issue, but my family can’t wait much longer for real action.”

The hearing follows the introduction of HB 2122, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, by Representative Frankel this January. The proposed legislation represents a groundbreaking solution to the drug price crisis that would give both lawmakers and the public greater insight into how drugs are priced, investigate how specific drug prices impact Pennsylvanians, and create a mechanism to reduce what Pennsylvanians pay for their medications.