Prepared Floor Remarks by
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Finance
Committee
Committee
Wednesday, November 6,
2019
2019
I’m
here to share a secret with the American people.
here to share a secret with the American people.
It’s
about prescription drug pricing.
about prescription drug pricing.
As
chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, it’s no secret that one of my biggest
priorities is to rein in the soaring costs of prescription medicine.
chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, it’s no secret that one of my biggest
priorities is to rein in the soaring costs of prescription medicine.
It’s
no secret that Americans are having a hard time paying for their medicine.
no secret that Americans are having a hard time paying for their medicine.
It’s
no secret that Big Pharma doesn’t want us to change the status quo.
no secret that Big Pharma doesn’t want us to change the status quo.
In
fact, Big Pharma is spending Big Money to stop Congress and the Trump
administration from legislating a cure.
fact, Big Pharma is spending Big Money to stop Congress and the Trump
administration from legislating a cure.
That’s
the secret.
the secret.
They
want to keep drug pricing a secret from the American people.
want to keep drug pricing a secret from the American people.
What
does that mean?
does that mean?
It
means that Big Pharma wants to keep secrecy baked in when it benefits Big
Pharma.
means that Big Pharma wants to keep secrecy baked in when it benefits Big
Pharma.
Right
now, the murky drug pricing supply chain is a mystery to consumers.
now, the murky drug pricing supply chain is a mystery to consumers.
There
seems to be no rhyme or reason what consumers will owe at the pharmacy counter
when they pick up their prescriptions.
seems to be no rhyme or reason what consumers will owe at the pharmacy counter
when they pick up their prescriptions.
American
taxpayers, America’s seniors and this U.S. senator are fed up with it.
taxpayers, America’s seniors and this U.S. senator are fed up with it.
That’s
why I’m working to inject some Midwestern common sense into prescription drug
pricing.
why I’m working to inject some Midwestern common sense into prescription drug
pricing.
I’m
working with my good friend Senator Durbin.
working with my good friend Senator Durbin.
We’ve
teamed up before on issues that naysayers said couldn’t get done.
teamed up before on issues that naysayers said couldn’t get done.
You
will recall that President Trump signed our First Step Act into law last
year.
will recall that President Trump signed our First Step Act into law last
year.
The
landmark reforms are protecting public safety, saving tax dollars and bringing
fairness to the criminal justice system.
landmark reforms are protecting public safety, saving tax dollars and bringing
fairness to the criminal justice system.
Today,
we’re teaming up once again to fix an injustice with prescription drug
advertising.
we’re teaming up once again to fix an injustice with prescription drug
advertising.
Big
Pharma spends billions of dollars a year advertising to U.S. consumers.
Pharma spends billions of dollars a year advertising to U.S. consumers.
The
FDA regulates what these direct-to-consumer ads must tell consumers.
FDA regulates what these direct-to-consumer ads must tell consumers.
For
example, advertisers must include potential side effects, such as nausea,
diarrhea, depression, weight gain and even, death.
example, advertisers must include potential side effects, such as nausea,
diarrhea, depression, weight gain and even, death.
You
know what seems to scare Big Pharma to death?
know what seems to scare Big Pharma to death?
Price
transparency.
transparency.
They
do not want to tell consumers how much a drug costs when they saturate the
airwaves with advertising that shows happy families enjoying the grandkids,
celebrating birthdays and going on vacations.
do not want to tell consumers how much a drug costs when they saturate the
airwaves with advertising that shows happy families enjoying the grandkids,
celebrating birthdays and going on vacations.
Senator
Durbin and I believe Americans have a right to know.
Durbin and I believe Americans have a right to know.
Consumers
should know what the advertised drug costs.
should know what the advertised drug costs.
The
Trump administration agrees.
Trump administration agrees.
But,
Big Pharma sued to stop the HHS regulations from taking effect.
Big Pharma sued to stop the HHS regulations from taking effect.
It’s
up to Congress to change the law.
up to Congress to change the law.
And
the bill Senator Durbin and I are introducing this week will do just
that.
the bill Senator Durbin and I are introducing this week will do just
that.
Almost
exactly one year ago, I said here on the floor of the U.S. Senate that it’s
time to talk turkey with our friends in Big Pharma.
exactly one year ago, I said here on the floor of the U.S. Senate that it’s
time to talk turkey with our friends in Big Pharma.
And
yet, here we are.
yet, here we are.
One
year later.
year later.
And
Big Pharma has ridden the taxpayer gravy train for another 12 months.
Big Pharma has ridden the taxpayer gravy train for another 12 months.
As
Americans get ready to count their blessings around the Thanksgiving table, I
hope they can count on all 100 members of the U.S. Senate to approve the
Grassley-Durbin bill.
Americans get ready to count their blessings around the Thanksgiving table, I
hope they can count on all 100 members of the U.S. Senate to approve the
Grassley-Durbin bill.
There’s
no good reason to oppose it.
no good reason to oppose it.
Unless
you’d rather keep secrets for Big Pharma.
you’d rather keep secrets for Big Pharma.