Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the Plain Prescription Prices Act with Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Bryan Steil (WI-01). This legislation would ensure list prices for prescription drugs are disclosed in TV advertisements. Unlike the prices of most products advertised on TV, the list prices of prescription drugs are largely hidden from the public. With this bipartisan reform, consumers will be empowered to make decisions that help lower prescription drug prices.

Congresswoman Williams said: 

“No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or taking their prescriptions. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for too many of my constituents. Some have to ration their medicine to get by. We all deserve quality, affordable healthcare with a transparent price tag. With the Plain Prescription Prices Act, consumers can hold drug companies accountable for spiking drug prices and help bring down the cost of healthcare for everyone.”

Congressman Bacon said: 

“Making prescription drug prices more affordable must be a top priority, and citizens should know exactly how much their medication is going to cost. I’m glad to join my House colleagues in this bipartisan effort to ensure the list price is clearly labeled—no gimmicks, no broken promises.”

Congresswoman Craig said:

“The American people deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for their prescription drugs so they can make informed decisions about their health care. And yet, despite recent efforts to ensure transparency, Big Pharma continues to do everything in its power to keep consumers in the dark while spending billions of dollars annually on marketing their medications. Today, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this commonsense legislation to require pharmaceutical companies to share the list prices of their products in TV ads.”

Congressman Steil said:

“Prescription drug prices strain budgets for many families and seniors. In order to lower the cost of prescription drugs, we need to improve transparency and provide consumers with the best choices. I am proud to co-lead the Plain Prescription Prices Act, which requires drug manufacturers to disclose drug prices in consumer ads. This is a simple way to increase transparency and provide patients with the options they deserve.”

Dr. Michael W. Brooks, President & CEO of Family Health Centers of Georgia said: 

“The Family Health Centers of Georgia understands the importance of prescription affordability and transparency. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, our goal is to make healthcare, which includes the necessary medications, affordable and accessible. To combat patients’ lack of access to affordable prescription fills and refills, we participate in HRSA’s 340B Drug Pricing Program. In addition, we provide an on-site pharmacy, medication education, affordable prescription options, free home delivery, and prescription assistance programs. I welcome the introduction of the Plain Prescription Prices Act, which will complement our work by making prescription prices more transparent.”

Margarida Jorge, Campaign Director at Lower Drug Prices Now said:

“We applaud Congresswoman Williams for introducing the Plain Prescription Prices Act. Consumers deserve far more transparency from Big Pharma, an industry that has raked in more profits than any other industry. For decades, drug corporations have raised prices at rates that exceed inflation and provided no justification. This legislation is an important first step toward exposing drug corporations’ monopoly control over prices and the need for accountability through more comprehensive reforms to lower the cost of prescription drugs.”

Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care said:

“The Plain Prescription Prices Act is an important step to rein in Big Pharma’s greed and put more money in families’ pockets. Not only do Americans pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries, but the United States is among a small handful of countries that allow drug companies to market their products on television. By increasing transparency, this legislation will put drug company greed on full display and work to lower prices for the American people. We commend Rep. Williams’s commitment to lowering costs for Georgians and people across the nation.” 

Peter Maybarduk, Access to Medicines Director at Public Citizen said: 

“Prescription drug corporations hide and sow confusion about medicine prices in order to keep those prices high. The more consumers know, the better choices they can make. The more accountability for drug corporations, the better our collective ability to make medicine affordable. Public Citizen endorses the Plain Prescription Prices Act and thanks Representative Williams for standing up for transparency.” 

Click here for the text of The Plain Prescription Prices Act. 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. Congresswoman Williams serves on the exclusive Financial Services Committee where she is Vice Chair of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Select Committee for the Modernization of Congress. She is Freshman Class President and Co-Chairs the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as a champion of voting rights, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of their ZIP code or bank account.

###