Poster
04-09-2004, 10:03 AM
William D. Novelli, CEO of the AARP, outlined his plans to lobby for seniors’ rights in the new Medicare program. The company will push for the pharmaceuticals to work with the FDA, to ensure drugs are safe and affordable.
“First, we are calling on each pharmaceutical company to limit price increases to no greater than the level of inflation for current drug products. We also urge you to constrain the prices of new drugs, and to use your influence to curtail greater mark-ups throughout the distribution chain to retail.”
The association will also seek a contingency plan from HHS, should the program fail.
“Fourth, while the new Medicare law is designed to achieve substantial discounts through negotiations by the private plans, it is also prudent to provide the secretary of [Health and Human Services] with appropriate negotiating authority in the event that the competitive private purchasing system does not produce the anticipated cost savings.”
To read more go to: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/...04/08equal.html
“First, we are calling on each pharmaceutical company to limit price increases to no greater than the level of inflation for current drug products. We also urge you to constrain the prices of new drugs, and to use your influence to curtail greater mark-ups throughout the distribution chain to retail.”
The association will also seek a contingency plan from HHS, should the program fail.
“Fourth, while the new Medicare law is designed to achieve substantial discounts through negotiations by the private plans, it is also prudent to provide the secretary of [Health and Human Services] with appropriate negotiating authority in the event that the competitive private purchasing system does not produce the anticipated cost savings.”
To read more go to: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/...04/08equal.html