A New AHIP Ad Takes On Big Pharma’s Prices

(CTN News) – AHIP has announced the launch of an advertising campaign in which it calls out soaring drug prices attributed to Big Pharma spending to deflect the blame.

According to the AHIP, Big Pharma spends millions of dollars each year to try to deflect blame, limit competition, and undermine the bargaining power of patients.

In Washington, D.C., and across the nation, the campaign will be advertising on broadcast, social media, and through direct placements in targeted media outlets.

THE REASON WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

In addition to their respective associations, such as American Health Insurance Plans, or AHIP, health plans are being encouraged to make prescription drugs more affordable.

AHIP’s executive vice president for public affairs and strategic initiatives, Robert Traynham, stated, “Our new campaign emphasizes the crucial role that health insurance providers play in improving access to healthcare in the United States.”.

Let us be clear: Big Pharma continues to deceive and divert attention from the root cause of high drug prices – anti-competitive, price-gouging tactics employed by Pharma.

There is a persistent problem with pharmaceutical manufacturers maintaining high prescription drug prices and undermining the tools we use to lower prices and provide Americans with more choices in quality healthcare.”

TRENDS OVER THE LONGER TERM

AHIP and PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, have been at odds over the issue of high drug prices since 2009. The AHIP ad blasting the pharmaceutical industry is the latest in a series of ad campaigns.

The PhRMA published an analysis earlier this year that showed how insurers and middlemen are increasing patients’ out-of-pocket costs at pharmacies.

It is also reported that PhRMA is opposed to the Inflation Reduction Act’s provision that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time.

A guideline for the Medicare drug pricing program was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in March.

Despite the rhetoric we hear, the administration’s own report shows that prices for the vast majority of Part B medicines are not skyrocketing, PhRMA said in response to the Inflation Reduction Act.

As a result of the inflation penalty, more than 95% of Part B treatments were not impacted. Overall, Medicare spending on Part B medicines has consistently been less than 5% of overall government expenditure, and the cost of medications continues to outweigh the costs of other hospital expenses.

Rather than addressing the real factors driving healthcare spending and the real challenges patients face in affording their life-saving treatments, the administration continues to spin a false narrative to score political points.”

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