Physical Wellness

Donald Trump Receives Backlash Despite His Idea To Lower Drug Prices

By Abbie Kraft | Update Date: Jan 25, 2017 09:58 AM EST

President-elect Donald Trump is paving a way to lower drug prices, which turned out to be something challenging. Despite making it clear that drug prices are too high, the pharmaceutical industry strongly opposed his decision.

Donald Trump has been very vocal in terms his stand on drug prices, stating that the pharmaceutical industry is "getting away with murder". Prescription drugs continually increase in terms of pricing over the years, leaving low-income citizens with a burden. Trump already made a move in having this dilemma reduced.

The president-elect previously made a proposal wherein he forced drug makers to make a bid for their rights in having their products sold to Medicare beneficiaries. His bid, however, failed to gather enough support as it was not able to attract the congress, even among his fellow Republicans.

"Pharma has a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power, and there is very little bidding," Donald Trump stated at the news conference this month. "We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world, and yet we don't bid properly, and we're going to save billions of dollars."

The New York Times mentioned that poll results reveal general public's voice in terms the prohibition of the federal government to directly negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for acquiring the drugs that are covered by Medicare, which is the government's health program for individuals over 65 and those who have disabilities.

There are several politicians that are not in favor of the prohibition, including Bernie Sanders, his gesture to remove the prohibition was opposed by the pharmaceutical industries and the Republicans. Medicare only started covering drug costs in 2006, after the government made a move to add a drug benefit.

The gesture to prohibit the government to directly make a transaction is said to be a risky step for the lawmakers as it can negatively impact the government's practice of medicine. As a tax paying citizen, are you in favor of Donald Trump's idea that the drug makers should make a bid to sell their products to Medicare? Do let us know your thoughts through the comment section below.

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