Rep. Kennedy Signs Letter Urging Investigation into Foreign Drug Pricing Practices Shifting Costs to Americans

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) joined an effort led by House Ways and Means Committee Vice Chairman Congressman Vern Buchanan, Health Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) to address foreign government policies that force American patients to bear a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development costs.

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the lawmakers expressed support for President Trump's efforts to ensure that foreign nations pay their fair share for American pharmaceutical innovation. Many countries benefit from the U.S.-developed medicines while implementing policies that allow them to avoid contributing equitably to the costs of research and development.

"American patients should not be forced to subsidize pharmaceutical innovation for the rest of the world," said Congressman Mike Kennedy. "I support the Trump Administration's use of all available authorities to establish a more balanced pharmaceutical marketplace that strengthens innovation, improves affordability and preserves access to lifesaving medicines for American patients."

Background:

Despite warnings from the Administration, some countries, including Germany and Switzerland, have recently announced plans to further reduce pharmaceutical spending, reinforcing concerns about foreign free-riding. The letter calls for strong enforcement measures to address these practices and ensure that U.S. trading partners contribute more equitably to pharmaceutical research and development costs.

The letter is urging Ambassador Greer to take additional action to address foreign policies that force the American health care system to shoulder the costs of pharmaceutical research and development that benefit patients around the world.

Read the full letter here.