The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

Legislation needed to lower drug costs




LTE

LTE

To the Editor:

Americans pay more for brand-name prescription drugs than the rest of the world. Every year the prices keep rising at an astronomical pace, making it harder for Americans to afford the medicine they need.

Congress, the Administration, and importantly, our own Tennessee legislators must take action now to lower prescription drug prices.

I am pleased organizations such as AARP are urging federal and state policymakers to crack down on price-gouging by drug companies. It is time to lower drug prices for all Americans through decisive actions and solutions aimed not only at the federal level but state level as well.

In 2017, the average annual cost for one brand-name medication used on a chronic basis was almost $6,800. For the average older American taking 4.5 prescription drugs on a chronic basis, the annual cost of therapy would have been more than $30,000.

On a personal level, my doctor has prescribed Humira as the drug of choice to control my Crohn’s Disease. The monthly cost for the generic version of Humira is $5,148.43. The annual cost totals $61,781.16.

No American should be forced to choose between paying for the medicines they need and paying for food, rent or other necessities. I urge Tennessee lawmakers to work together with all members of Congress to protect older Americans and pass bipartisan, common sense legislation to lower prescription drug prices. The need for this action to take place is now.

Byron A Kamp

Mt. Juliet

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