AARP Ohio and Senator Brown Speak Out About Need for Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Columbus—Today AARP Ohio State Director Holly Holtzen joined Senator Sherrod Brown for a virtual press conference highlighting the need for Congress to lower prescription drug process. During the event, AARP Ohio delivered a petitions signed by Ohioans calling for Congress to act now and stop unfair drug prices. AARP has called for fair drug prices for years and supports legislation that passed the House in November, which would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, put a cap on out-of-pocket costs that older adults pay for their prescription drugs and impose penalties on drug companies that raise prices faster than the rate of inflation.

“For years, prescription drug price increases have dwarfed even the highest rates of general inflation. AARP is laser-focused on four provisions, already passed by the House, that work together to lower prescription drug prices and save the Medicare program and taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars,” Holtzen said. “More than four million people across the country, including more than 180,000 here in Ohio agree, that there will never be a better time to lower drug prices than the historic opportunity in front of Congress.”

“It’s not a mistake that current law protects big pharmaceutical corporations’ profits, at the direct expense of patients, by prohibiting the government from negotiating better prices for the American people. Drug companies were in the room when that law was written. And it’s been something I’ve been fighting to fix ever since,” Sen. Brown said. “I’ve also pushed to stop drug price gouging. We know that the high cost of drugs is a problem. We know how to fix it: we let Medicare negotiate, we penalize companies that price gouge, and we cap out of pocket costs for patients. The purpose of prescription drugs is to allow Ohioans to live longer, healthier lives – not to line the pockets of Big Pharma executives.”

Lowering prescription drug prices has widespread support among voters, regardless of their party affiliation. An AARP survey of voters found that strong majorities of voters want Congress to act on the issue, with 70% saying it is very important. The survey also found that 87% of voters support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

More information about AARP’s Fair Drug Prices campaign can be found at aarp.org/rx.

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About AARP AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.