Delays could harm older Americans, interest group states.
In response to major drug manufacturers attempting to block prescription drug price negotiations, AARP has filed a legal brief stating that these companies should not be able to succeed in delaying a law that will allow Medicare to negotiate the prices of some prescription drugs for the first time. According to the brief, delaying the initiative could harm older Americans as a result of having to face a longer waiting period.
As part of a lawsuit filed by the US, Ohio, and Michigan chambers of commerce, a request has been made to issue an injunction that would prevent the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from moving forward with the drug negotiation process. Currently, the law requires CMS to announce 10 prescription drugs that will be eligible for negotiations by Sept. 1.
“Under the law, millions of older people already have to wait until 2026 to start benefiting from Medicare-negotiated prices,” according to AARP Foundation Litigation’s brief. Though the negotiation process is scheduled to start this fall, any negotiated prices wouldn’t take effect until 2026. “A preliminary injunction would make them wait even longer. Older people cannot afford to wait.”
Reference: AARP Urges Federal Court to Keep Medicare Drug Price Negotiations on Track. AARP. August 18, 2023. Accessed August 21, 2023. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2023/medicare-rx-drug-prices.html
