STAT+: PBMs were the target of House hearing, but pharma wasn’t spared criticism
Congress wants PBM reforms to help lower the cost of medicines — but don’t think they’ve forgotten drug makers.
WASHINGTON — Congress wants to reform PBM business practices to help lower the cost of medicines — but don’t think they’ve forgotten drugmakers have a role in high drug prices.
Two lawmakers, including a Republican, questioned PhRMA Chief Operating Officer Lori Reilly about just how much her group was spending on its major campaigns against PBMs this year. Both Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) used their time to question drugmakers over their spending on lawsuits against Medicare drug price negotiation and ad campaigns against pharmacy benefit managers.
Although Lee started off bashing PBMs for the fees they charge drugmakers, she quickly aimed her fire back on pharma. She said brand drugmakers charge Americans double what they charge other countries, and she asked why several drugmakers are suing the federal government over Medicare’s drug price negotiation.
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