July: A Horrible Month for US Consumers

What Happens Every July – BigPharma Uses Cover of Holiday to Raise Prices 

Washington, DC – Every year in the United States, drug manufacturers raise the price of brand-name prescription drugs in January and July. The Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation says Congress must take action now to ensure that imperiled Americans have access to affordable medications.   

“Americans are dying unnecessarily due to grossly high prescription drug prices. July will likely mark another round of profit-hungry drug price hikes. Congress must act now to save lives and ensure Americans have access to affordable prescription drugs,” said Jack Pfeiffer, Executive Director of the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation. “Americans importing their medication from licensed online Canadian pharmacies are saving 50 to 90 percent on brand name drugs. Expanding personal prescription importation access is a straightforward step to save lives.”

Record-Breaking Drug Price Hikes
Drug manufactures have sped the pace of price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic. This July could see further price hikes by profit-hungry drug manufacturers.

Personal Prescription Importation Solution
Two bills presently before Congress could immediately expand American patients’ access to affordable prescription drugs and curtail the deadly impacts of rising U.S. drug prices. The Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2021 (S.259, H.R.832) and The Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2021 (S.920, H.R. 2181) would expand support for prescription importation and fully codify individuals’ rights to safely import prescription drugs from Canada. 

  • Americans report saving an average of $2,736 a year on personally imported prescription drugs from certified online Canadian pharmacies compared to costs in the U.S.
  • Price comparisons of prescription drugs find that online Canadian pharmacy prices are 50% to 90% more affordable than prices at AmazonPharmacy, GoodRx, and leading U.S. pharmacy competitors.
  • The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that prescription drug importation could deliver $7 billion in federal savings over 10 years.

“The time to take action against rising U.S. prescription drug prices is now. American lives depend on it,” reiterated Pfeiffer. 

Price Hikes Lethal Implications
Millions of Americans struggling to afford medications are facing lethal consequences as rising prices put necessary prescription drugs out of reach.

Price Hike Impacts on Seniors, Medicaid & Medicare 
While uninsured, underinsured, and patients with chronic conditions are dramatically impacted by rising prescription drug prices, the toll hits seniors particularly hard, even those covered by Medicaid and Medicare.