Better options for purchasing medicines

Americans need

Regarding “Taking Their Shots: Mylan’s CEO Gets Earful in Congress. Now What?” (Sept. 25 editorial): We were very pleased to see the Post-Gazette’s editorial board ask a critical question of Congress in regard to its “dressing down” of Mylan CEO Heather Bresch for the 500 percent increase in the cost of its EpiPen: “Now what?”

As the editorial rightly points out, this public scolding may be cathartic, but Americans facing unaffordable prescription costs need more. They need action. At the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation, we hear from Americans every day who cannot afford medications and are faced with few options.

Indeed, 30 percent of Americans reported not filling a prescription and 25 percent reported skipping doses or splitting pills due to the high cost of medications, according to a national survey conducted for CPPI. Many others, including 22,000 Pennsylvania residents, look to Canada — where an EpiPen costs 53 percent less — to fill prescriptions safely and affordably.

We agree with the editorial board that Congress should act on ideas like controlling drug prices and streamlining the drug approval process. Yet, for many, that progress will assuredly be too slow.

Americans, including many elderly and other residents in the Pittsburgh area, need immediate access to lifesaving medications that are simply unaffordable in the U.S., from EpiPens to asthma inhalers. Allowing Americans to more freely exercise their right to access affordable medications under the guidance of their doctor and from a safe, certified online pharmacy would provide an immediate and vital lifeline. I too urge Congress to align its passionate rhetoric with legislative action and allow for the safe importation of prescription medications from credentialed, safe Canadian pharmacies. REBECCA KELLEY

Executive Director Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation

Washington, D.C.