WASHINGTON – We have seen high prices for prescription drugs, from Lyrica to insulin, as prices have risen sharply.

Last year, Congress was close to adopting comprehensive drug reform, but ultimately failed. Can a revised approach change anything?

GROWING

Meet Meg Jackson Drage. Even though you don’t know her, you probably know someone who can connect with her story. Dr. Meg would like her on Lyrics because of fibromyalgia, but her finances don’t allow it.

“One bottle costs $ 750 to $ 850,” Meg said.

How can she afford it? “I can’t,” said Meg.

Although Meg lives in Utah, she recently visited Washington to lobby lawmakers to get them to adopt something before the midterm elections.

“I’d like to see a cap,” Meg said, looking at the US Capitol dome.

NEW CAMPAIGN

A new “Click to Reduce Prices” campaign was recently launched to encourage lawmakers to take action.

“We are here to promote historic legislation,” said David Mitchell, founder of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now.

“We can do better,” said Joe Ann Jenkins, AARP CEO.

WHAT’S NEW

Last year, it seemed that the reform of prescription drugs should take place, as it was a key component of the “Back Better” advocated by President Joe Biden. However, in December last year it was suspended and is not expected to be revised

However, some Capitol Hill residents believe that prescription drug reform can be excluded from Build Back Better and go through on its own.

One version of the law, advocated by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), limits insulin to $ 35 a month, limits the rise in drug prices each year, and potentially allows Medicare to negotiate with prescription companies.

The reason this legislation has a chance is that Senator Joe Manchin, whose final vote often gives Democrats a majority, has said he would like the drug reform version to become law. Republican Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has also taken the lead in negotiating what Republicans can vote for.

There is no plan for an official vote yet, and some lawmakers are concerned about this a nonpartisan study by the Congressional Budget Service this shows that limiting drug prices may limit future research and, in turn, new drugs, as this will affect the profits of pharmaceutical companies.