Dear Editor,
Since early adulthood, I have suffered from Grave’s disease, a common autoimmune disorder that causes the overproduction of hormones in the thyroid gland. My doctor’s only choice was to remove my thyroid entirely.
The current treatment options for Grave’s disease are limited, but thankfully research and development into new cures continues daily. I fear, though, that any push to enable government price-setting of prescription medications could dissuade the pharmaceutical industry from investing in new hormone-related treatments.
Currently in the Senate, legislators are pushing through a reconciliation package that will install price controls that will set a maximum rate that the government will pay for Medicare Part D drugs – effectively eliminating countless drugs as treatment options for patients. On its face, a measure like this sounds like a quick fix, but it will likely hurt patients in the long term. By capping the prices of certain drugs and decreasing the returns investors can expect on successful drug launches, they limit research in innovation and deprive people of access to future medicines in the long term.
Price-setting measures are not fair to patients like me, and they do not offer us anything beyond closing the door on a potential new cure or treatment. Medical innovation could forever change if the government implements price controls.
I hope for the sake of the millions of patients suffering from Grave’s disease and other incurable conditions, Congress will make the right choice and strike down these price-setting measures.
I urge our Louisiana Congressional Delegation to stick up for patients and vote NO on price controls.
Sincerely,
Lisa Gould
Dubberly, Louisiana
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