Drug prices matter to patients and their families. If a medicine isn’t affordable, it isn’t accessible. David Mitchell, founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs, has called drug pricing “a genuinely bipartisan issue.” The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) and our allies see federal and state solutions.
In recent years, the national dialogue about drug pricing has expanded beyond the District of Columbia. While the U.S. Congress continues to explore possible fixes for skyrocketing drug prices (notably The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act), many state legislatures are simultaneously considering new policies that could have consequences for everyday patients like Ariel.
AAM advances this dialogue by providing timely, actionable resources for lawmakers and advocates. Our team visits state capitals to educate stakeholders on the value proposition of safe, effective, FDA-approved generic prescription drugs and to highlight the risks and rewards of proposed legislation. We also engage with patients on social media. In the past three years, more than 14,000 patients and taxpayers have sent over 51,000 messages to their state lawmakers to protect the savings they get from generic medicines.
> How Much Is Your State Saving? Check Out Our Interactive Map!
According to AAM Manager of State Government Affairs Andrew O’Connor, legislatures are considering three types of prescription drug-related bills:
“It is important that lawmakers and advocates understand the generic market and do not enact policy that could undermine the savings we provide,” O’Connor explains, “We all want to ensure patients have access to low-cost medicines. ”
> State Lawmakers: Access Our Handy Toolkit
AAM Senior Director of Marketing Erica Klinger, who manages AAM social media and grassroots efforts, urges patients to take action and share their stories.
“Every day I read comments from patients, which are incredibly compelling,” she says. “Their voice matters to lawmakers concerned about the impact of legislation on constituents in their state.”
Patients: If you and your family rely on generic drugs to manage your health, then demand that your elected officials reject any legislation that puts safe, affordable meds at risk. Here’s how.
AAM is looking for patients to share their stories. Do generic or biosimilar medicines allow you to live a healthier, more productive life? What are you doing with the money you save? Tell us about it here.
View 2020 State Lawmaker Toolkit
By Andrew O’Connor, AAM Manager, State Government Affairs
Erica Klinger, AAM Senior Director, Marketing