The rising cost of prescription drugs has been a pressing issue for many Americans. For years politicians promised to take on the big drug companies to empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for consumers. With the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden has delivered on making medication more affordable for Medicare recipients. Every single Republican in Congress voted against the Inflation Reduction Act including Indian River County Representative Bill Posey and Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio.

Soon millions of Americans will see lower prices on some of the most expensive and widely used prescription drugs. Under this act, the first ten drugs that will be targeted for price cuts have been identified.

  1. Humira: Humira is widely used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. With its high price tag, affordability has been a challenge for many patients. By targeting Humira for price cuts, the aim is to alleviate the financial burden for Medicare beneficiaries who rely on this medication.
  2. Revlimid: This drug is primarily prescribed to patients suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Revlimid’s exorbitant pricing has put it out of reach for many individuals, making access to life-saving treatment difficult. Lowering its price will potentially improve the quality of life for Medicare recipients battling this devastating disease.
  3. Keytruda: Keytruda is a groundbreaking immunotherapy drug used to treat various forms of cancer. While it has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, its high cost has limited its availability to those with deeper pockets. By reducing its price, more Medicare beneficiaries will have access to this revolutionary treatment option.
  4. Eliquis: Eliquis is a popular anticoagulant prescribed to prevent blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation or after hip or knee replacement surgery. Its price has hindered access to this essential medication, potentially placing vulnerable individuals at increased risk. By lowering the cost of Eliquis, Medicare recipients will have improved access to this critical drug.
  5. Xarelto: Similar to Eliquis, Xarelto is another anticoagulant widely used for preventing blood clots. Its significant cost has posed challenges for patients who require long-term treatment. Making Xarelto more affordable will undoubtedly benefit Medicare beneficiaries who rely on this medication.
  6. Enbrel: Enbrel is commonly prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Many Medicare recipients have struggled to afford this medication due to its high price, affecting their ability to manage these chronic conditions effectively. Targeting Enbrel for price cuts will provide relief to those who depend on it for maintaining their quality of life.
  7. Remicade: Remicade is used to treat several autoimmune diseases, including Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. The prohibitive cost of Remicade has forced some Medicare beneficiaries to forego this crucial treatment option. Reducing the price of Remicade will ensure that individuals in need can access this effective medication.
  8. Rituxan: Rituxan is primarily prescribed for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certain autoimmune disorders. Limited affordability has hindered access to this life-saving drug for many Medicare recipients, compromising their treatment outcomes. By targeting Rituxan for price reductions, the hope is to make it more accessible to those who rely on it.
  9. Herceptin: Herceptin is a vital medication used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Despite its proven efficacy, the high cost of Herceptin has presented barriers to care for some Medicare beneficiaries. Lowering its price will facilitate greater access to this critical breast cancer treatment.
  10. Advair Diskus: Advair Diskus is commonly prescribed to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its steep price has made it challenging for Medicare recipients to afford this essential respiratory medication. Targeting Advair Diskus for price cuts will enhance accessibility and improve the health outcomes of those who rely on it.

This historic day has been 20 years in the making, ever since Republicans and big drug companies created a law to prohibit Medicare from using its massive negotiating power to secure lower prescription drug prices for seniors and taxpayers. By identifying the first ten drugs for price cuts, including Humira, Revlimid, Keytruda, Eliquis, Xarelto, Enbrel, Remicade, Rituxan, Herceptin, and Advair Diskus, the hope is to improve access to these crucial medications. Lowering their prices will alleviate the financial burden on patients, enabling them to receive effective treatment without sacrificing their well-being.