Op-Ed: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Dear Editor: 

Although the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tried to address the high cost of prescription drugs, this Forbes article rightly points out the unintended consequences of its "pill penalty.” In the short term, this pill penalty raises the cost of prescription tablets and capsules; in the long term, it stifles important pharmaceutical innovation and research into convenient, easy-to-use pills. 

The pill penalty does this by forcing price controls onto tablets and capsules before those same controls apply to IV and injection drugs. While it may seem beneficial to consumers to have prescription med price controls, in reality, it will lead to less availability of those drugs and higher out-of-pocket costs. Senior Americans will be hit hardest of all by this government price fixing and favoring of one drug type over another. For many, especially those struggling with heart disease and cancer, the convenience of an at-home pill cannot be overstated. If these pills are not readily available, our seniors will be forced to travel to medical facilities, sometimes several times a week, adding more stress and chaos to an already stressful time. 

If Congress is serious about this issue, it will leave price controls alone and focus instead on Pharmacy Benefit Managers, the pharmaceutical industry middlemen who routinely drive up prices to line their own pockets. Congress must repeal the pill penalty and focus on the real problem when it comes to providing seniors with accessible medications.

Lauren Current

Gastonia, NC