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Arrington Introduces Drug Pricing Bills to Stop Foreign Freeloading and Protect Rebates for Seniors

Washington, July 14, 2021 | Reilly Knecht (806-252-6133)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2021 
CONTACTS: 
Christian McMullen, (806) 224-5216
Reilly Knecht, (806) 252-6133

Arrington Introduces Drug Pricing Bills to Stop Foreign Freeloading and Protect Rebates for Seniors

WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) recently introduced two important pieces of legislation to lower prescription drug costs by fighting back against foreign freeloading and ensuring drug rebates go directly to seniors at the pharmacy counter.

“For too long, foreign countries and insurance providers along with their “Middlemen” have benefited from a dysfunctional drug supply chain filled with kickbacks and perverse incentives,” said Rep. Arrington. “American seniors have been forced to simply accept the skyrocketing costs of medication, unable to push back against a big and unwieldy pharmaceutical market. The US has led the world in developing life-saving treatments and drugs, but American taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for other countries. The USTRx Act guarantees all countries pay their fair share for these treatments and protects against foreign freeloading. The Anti-Kickbacks, PRO-Seniors Act sheds much-needed transparency on our drug supply chain and redirects Pharma-to-Insurance discounts to our seniors directly at the point of sale. I believe these bills will benefit seniors, taxpayers, and all American patients by encouraging competition, increasing transparency, and protecting American innovation.”

  • H.R. 4376, the Using Sovereignty to Reduce Rx (USTRx) Act, would create a USTR Pharmaceutical Negotiator to stop foreign countries from taking advantage of American medical innovation. This legislation cracks down on unfair international trade practices and ensures foreign countries pay their fair share of the costs associated with developing new treatments.
  • H.R. 4121, the Anti-Kickbacks, Protecting Rebates for Our Seniors (PRO Seniors) Act, would codify a Trump Administration rule that required drug discounts from manufacturers to be redirected from insurance providers directly to seniors at the pharmacy counter.

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Congressman Jodey Arrington is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving the Nineteenth Congressional District of Texas. He serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.