Andrew Yang Policy on HOLD PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

[Sherman A1]

Pharmaceutical companies have, without a doubt, improved the quality of life for Americans. However, certain companies have used the good-will developed through the industry’s advances in medicine to abuse the trust of the American public. This despite the fact that many pharmaceutical developments have come from publicly funded research that was then adopted by the industry.

Nowhere is this most apparent than in the recent opioid epidemic. Purdue Pharma has made more than $35 BILLION in revenue since releasing OxyContin in 1995. The fine of $635 MILLION for false advertising around claims of non-addictiveness and tamper-proofing is barely a slap on the wrist.

Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the health of Americans. They have a duty to play by the rules, and those that break the rules will face repercussions through the criminal justice system.

"Drug companies save lives every day. But their financial incentives may lead them to aggressively market drugs for uses beyond their original intent. We need to provide strong oversight and ensure that new medicines are used in ways that improve health and the public good. With Medicare-for-all, the government will be able to negotiate significantly lower prices on behalf of the public."

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/holding-pharmaceutical-companies-accountable/