A lobbying group that represents pharmaceutical manufacturers sued the federal government on Oct. 7 over a program aimed at reducing the prices of drugs.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) said in a legal complaint in federal court in Washington that the Most Favored Nation policy, planned for Medicare by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), illegally imposes foreign price controls.
The program “is unlawful and clearly exceeds CMS’ authority,” Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of the lobbying organization, said in a statement.
“The policy doesn’t make medicines more affordable for most beneficiaries, while putting future medical innovation and patient access at risk. We share the administration’s goal of ensuring Americans can access and afford their medicines, but CMS cannot rewrite the law and bypass Congress to impose foreign price controls. Patients need more choices and more breakthroughs—not government price-setting schemes that undermine both.”…