AAM, 28 groups oppose barriers to generics, biosimilar access in USMCA
The Association for Accessible Medicines has joined 28 groups representing patients, taxpayers, workers and healthcare groups in submitting letters to U.S.Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and congressional leadership, expressing concern that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, if left in its current form, will keep drug prices high and out of reach of Americans.
Citing the results of a recent survey, AAM said Americans do not want the new USMCA to raise drug prices or decrease competition from more affordable generic or biosimilar medicines. The survey found that 84% of respondents said they believe trade policy should lower — not increase — drug prices; 81% believe trade policy should increase access to affordable medicine; and nearly three out of four voters from across the political spectrum are concerned that the USMCA would negatively impact drug prices, delay patient access to more affordable generic and biosimilar medicine, and impose new barriers to the development of lower-cost medicine.
AAM created medsforamerica.org to provide information for consumers about the new trade agreement, and how USMCA would hurt patient access. The site provides an easy way to contact one’s member of Congress in just one click. The #FixUSMCA campaign, launched on Monday, already has generated more than 2,000 page views, and people have sent over 1,000 messages to Congress, according to the AAM.
Citing the results of a recent survey, AAM said Americans do not want the new USMCA to raise drug prices or decrease competition from more affordable generic or biosimilar medicines. The survey found that 84% of respondents said they believe trade policy should lower — not increase — drug prices; 81% believe trade policy should increase access to affordable medicine; and nearly three out of four voters from across the political spectrum are concerned that the USMCA would negatively impact drug prices, delay patient access to more affordable generic and biosimilar medicine, and impose new barriers to the development of lower-cost medicine.
AAM created medsforamerica.org to provide information for consumers about the new trade agreement, and how USMCA would hurt patient access. The site provides an easy way to contact one’s member of Congress in just one click. The #FixUSMCA campaign, launched on Monday, already has generated more than 2,000 page views, and people have sent over 1,000 messages to Congress, according to the AAM.