Letter to the Editor: Praise for Bresnahan on prescription drug pricing

When it comes to global drug innovation over the past couple of decades, the United States has been like the train engineer who watches helplessly while a long line of wealthy allies—Germany, France, the U.K., and many others—simply hop aboard without paying. Foreign governments impose strict caps on medicines at home, expecting American patients and taxpayers to keep fueling the drug research engine.

Well-meaning but misguided people, including President Trump, talk about linking U.S. drug prices to the discounted prices abroad—so-called “most-favored-nation” pricing. This sounds like an easy way to equalize drug prices, but importing socialist drug pricing would simply import the free rider mentality, leaving no one to continue investing in medical innovation.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan has wisely signaled that such policies are the wrong track to take. Instead, he has emphasized the need for transparency, competition, patient choice, and removing red tape.

For focusing on true prescription drug price reforms, Bresnahan should be applauded.

Kent Kaiser, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity