Senate Dems call on Trump to address drug pricing

In a letter to Donald Trump, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Al Franken (D-Minn.) and 18 colleagues called on the President-elect to make good on campaign promises to address prescription drug pricing. The senators encouraged "bold administrative and legislative actions," and stressed that they are ready to advance bipartisan reforms that would reduce "the burden exorbitant drug prices are placing on hard-working Americans."

Specifically, the group called on Trump to grant HHS authority to negotiate drug prices under Medicare; require pharmaceutical companies to disclose R&D and manufacturing costs, as well as tax credits and government grants; block "unjustified" price increases; better target taxpayer funds toward development of drugs that address pressing and unmet medical needs while protecting "true innovation;" and push for new provisions to ensure "timely entrance" of generic products...