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As I See It

Finally, F.A.I.R. drug pricing?

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This seems fair. Two members of Congress, Wisconsin democrat Tammy Baldwin and Arizona republican John McCain are joining together to introduce what they call the F.A.I.R. Drug Pricing Act. This legislation seeks to address the soaring prices of prescription medication. We have heard the stories of the price of prescription meds suddenly rising drastically. The Epi-pen, for example, went from costing $100 to $600, seemingly overnight, with no justification. It seems the only real justification is greed. The Pharma Bro behind the Epi-pen is the poster child for such greed. But we are left footing the bill. If we can afford it. Some gamble and skip the drugs they can’t afford. When prescription drug prices rise, taxpayers are left holding the bag. Nearly 20 percent of the Medicare budget goes toward prescription drugs. The F.A.I.R. Drug Pricing Act would not prevent drug manufacturers from raising the prices of their prescription drugs. But it would, for the first time, require drug manufacturers to provide justification of planned price hikes to the U.S. Department of Health. That would have to be done at least 30 days before any price hike. That at least provides some notice to taxpayers of pending price increases and how prices are set. It seems fair that we ask at least that much of these greedy drug companies.

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

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