January 27, 2016

Illinois Retirees Call on Congress to Stand Up for Seniors, Prevent Giveaway to Drug Companies

On September 23rd, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky joined with IARA members to call on Congress to stand up for consumers, taxpayers and seniors by opposing a special carve-out for drug companies. The pharmaceutical industry has attempted to secure a special exemption from the Inter Partes Review (IPR) process, which was put into place to allow for timely challenges to illegitimate patents. Illegitimate drug patents are one of the causes of rising drug prices. Special treatment for the pharmaceutical industry would cost taxpayers billions in higher prescription drug prices.

“We are raising awareness on this issue because Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world and seniors are particularly hard hit,” said President Barbara Franklin, “Congress should stand up for consumers, taxpayers and seniors by opposing a special carve-out for drug companies from IPR patent review.”