Drug Prices Are Out of Control — Hold Pharma Accountable

Americans pay more for prescription drugs than any other nation, nearly three times the global average. This isn’t because we use more medicine, but because our government does not regulate or negotiate prices the way other countries do. A RAND study found U.S. prices are 278% higher on average. One in four Americans skip or ration medication because they simply can’t afford it. The cancer drug Revlimid, used to treat multiple myeloma, shows how unchecked pricing devastates patients. Celgene, now owned by Bristol Myers Squibb, raised its price 26 times since FDA approval, reaching $763 per pill—despite costing about $0.25 to make (ProPublica, May 2025). These hikes weren’t based on innovation or need. Internal records revealed that price increases were tied directly to executive bonuses. Celgene also used FDA safety rules to block generic competitors and extend its monopoly. Revlimid isn’t an outlier. Insulin, blood thinners, and HIV medications—all have seen prices soar while companies rake in billions. I urge you to back legislation that allows Medicare to negotiate prices, penalizes abuse of market power, and forces transparency. Americans shouldn’t have to choose between medicine and groceries.