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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Amy Allina, National Women's Health Network, 514 Tenth Street, NW, Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-1140, aallina@nwhn.org

How does Pharma's profiteering affect your access to health care? The corporate strategies pursued by drug companies in the United States play a critical role in creating barriers to policy initiatives to expand access to health care. Campaigns to expand the market for expensive, brand-name drugs by promoting use by as many people as possible, including many who don't need the products, leads to inappropriate drug use and drives up health care costs. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry invests vast resources in lobbying efforts and makes substantial campaign contributions to policymakers with the goal of blocking any policy efforts to bring U.S. drug prices under control. The industry campaigns for trade agreements that undermine effective price controls in other countries which reduces access to affordable drugs in the United States. And drug expenditures absorb significant health care resources, diverting funds from necessary care. A few states have enacted legislation designed to rein in high drug prices and counter excessive and inappropriate promotion of drugs to doctors and patients. Can these efforts succeed and do they represent a leading edge for transformative health care reform? A discussion of these policy approaches and their results will inform the panel's consideration of the environmental factors affecting health care options and decision-making.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the drug company strategies that lead to high drug costs in the United States.
• Discuss the role of drug companies in creating barriers to expanding access to health care.
• Assess the potential impact of the strategies that states have begun to implement to gain a measure of control over high drug prices.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation