October 31,2019

Grassley: Ending Big Pharma’s Pricing Tricks Would be a Real Treat

Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
Thursday, October 31, 2019
 
Today is Halloween.
 
This may sound a little candy corn-y, but this Iowan wants to talk about the scary prices of prescription drugs.
 
Since January, I’ve joined bipartisan forces to drive a stake in the heart of ghoulish price gouging.
 
Senator Wyden and I are working to shut down the pranks poisoning the drug supply chain.
 
We need our fellow lawmakers to step up and help nail the coffin shut on monstrous drug price increases.
 
One example that can’t masquerade as a next-generation drug is the 500 percent increase for insulin, which helps Americans with diabetes regulate blood sugar.
 
This medicine was discovered 100 years ago, about the time the first horror film debuted.
 
There’s no rhyme or reason for the terrifying price hikes spooking Americans.
 
The real horror story this Halloween is what’s preventing Congress from doing its job.
 
Big Pharma is spending a frightening amount of money to kill drug pricing reforms.
 
Let’s fix the real injustice haunting the American people: sticker shock at the pharmacy counter.
 
Every senator can be a superhero for Halloween.
 
Join us to dig a grave for batty prescription drug prices.
 

Ending Big Pharma’s pricing tricks would be a real treat for all Americans.