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Oakland Press: Unveiling new report on prescription drug costs, shortages, Sen. Gary Peters calls for more comprehensive approach

By: Natalie Broda
Source: Oakland Press

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) released a new report on prescription drug costs and shortages during a trip to Pontiac’s St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital on Friday, Dec. 6.

The report details findings from a recent investigation into the cost and U.S. supply chain of prescription drugs, as well as national security concerns surrounding foreign drug manufacturers. Peters is a ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

“We need a comprehensive approach to drug shortages and the increasing prices of prescription medications,” Peters said. “Right now, there are name brand prescription drugs that cost more than the average household income in Michigan, and some doctors face the possibility of rationing drugs because there are not enough doses to treat all of their patients.”

“The issue of increasing drug prices is critically important to our community,” Shannon Striebich, president of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, said. “We’re seeing some drugs increase by seven or 10% each year. Some of them are increasing 15 to 18%, year after year. What’s even more concerning is the impact these drug prices have on patients.”

Like Jenni Bramble, a Lincoln Park resident who was part of Peters’ listening session tour on the issue in October. One of her prescription medications has a copay of $600 each month, which she can’t afford living on disability. She’s currently working with a nonprofit foundation to cover the costJenni Bramble, a Lincoln Park resident who was part of Sen. Gary Peters’ listening session tour on prescription drug costs, speaks about her challenges with affording medications during a press conference 

“I rationed it before and took about half of what I should have been taking. Now I’ve got it covered, but I need to apply for that every year and right now I’m waiting to see if I’ll be covered again in 2020. So I’ve started rationing again,” she said. “It’s scary. I’m not even 50-years-old yet. And if costs keep going up, I’m not sure if this foundation will continue to cover me.”

The report also lays out a series of action items that Peters said he plans to bring before the legislature, including:

  • Passing legislation to require pharmaceutical companies to submit justification for their price increases above a certain threshold
  • Allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices through a non-interference clause that would prohibit the government from negotiating drug prices under Medicare Part D
  • Passing the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, a bipartisan bill to allow individuals to import prescription drugs from Canada
  • Giving authority to the Food and Drug Administration to provide incentives for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture their drugs in the U.S.

“We are encouraged that Senator Peters has investigated drug shortages and price increases and has developed recommendations for improving this important health care crisis” Bob Ripley, vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Trinity Health, said. “Having affordable medications and a sustainable supply chain is something Americans shouldn’t have to worry about.”

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