Bredesen pitches plan to lower price of drugs
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Phil Bredesen floated his plan aimed at reducing prescription drug costs Monday in Memphis.
Americans are paying a “striking” amount for prescription drugs when compared with people in some other countries, Bredesen said.
“I think there are enough people on both sides of the aisle who are hearing the same things that I’m hearing,” Bredesen said. “All I want is the same deal you’re giving everybody else. I think that’s pretty easy for people to sign on to.”
Breseden’s go-to example, the cholesterol drug Crestor, costs on average $25 for a month’s supply in other countries, compared with more than $200in the United States, Bredesen said.
One of the first steps in making his plan a reality would be passing legislation removing the prohibition against Medicare negotiating with pharmaceutical companies, Bredesen said.
Bredesen spoke to a small group at the Madison Pharmacy inside Crosstown Concourse, where he voiced confidence his plan could draw bipartisan support. Bredesen, the former Tennessee governor, is facing off against Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn in the hotly contested race to replace Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate.
In response to a crowd-member’s question about the opioid crisis, Breseden contended Blackburn is “very tight with the pharmaceutical industry,” and that a bill she co-sponsored made it harder for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to intercept large shipments of opioids.
Breseden supports “giving the DEA back the powers it once had to fight this,” he said.
A 2017 investigation by The Washington Post and “60 Minutes” found the law essentially removed the agency’s ability to freezes drug shipments. Blackburn has said any unintended consequences must be addressed.
Blackburn campaign spokesperson Abbi Sigler said on Monday in response to Bredesen’s comments that Blackburn is part of an ongoing dialogue about how the federal government should address the opioid crisis. Blackburn recently introduced bipartisan bills aimed at increasing civil and criminal penalties and giving law enforcement “the tools they need to go after bad actors,” Sigler said.
“While Democrats point fingers and politicize a public health crisis, Marsha will continue to work towards a systemic solution that includes taking a tough stance on the distribution of illicit opioids and improves prevention and recovery efforts,” Sigler said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Bredesen sees Republican President Donald Trump as a potential ally on the prescription drug plan, he said.
“We have a president, President Trump, who really is a skilled negotiator,” Bredesen said.
Trump’s son, Eric, was in Tipton County on Monday stumping for Blackburn.