Political Quotes

“I appreciate very much being recognized and having an opportunity this morning to speak regarding the situation I believe we are in and the challenges right now as they relate to moving forward on addressing prices and cost containment in the pharmaceutical industry. We heard a lot of discussion yesterday. We had the opportunity to debate whether to open the border to Canada to have more competition between the prices that American companies charge in the United States and those in Canada. I was pleased we were able to move forward and come together on a plan to open the border, and now we place it in the hands of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify the difference in prices which we know are there and the fact that there is no safety risk, which we know is the case. So I look forward to moving ahead. A lot came up during that debate and I did want to, as we set the stage to debate additional efforts today to lower prices, speak as to how I view the situation in our country right now with our most profitable industry. I welcome the fact that we have a very profitable, successful prescription drug industry. There are new lifesaving drugs being created that keep people out of the hospital and living longer. We celebrate that. Over the last several years, we have seen more and more of a focus on selling and marketing and promotion than creating the next generation of lifesaving drugs. That is of great concern to me.”