San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer today sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, to formally support their proposed new anti-monopoly patent rules to take on profiteering drug manufacturers and make life-saving medications available to the public at lower prices.  

Excerpts from the letter state, “A small number of drug manufacturers for too long have had a stronghold on the prescription drug market, raking in the overwhelming majority of the profits by artificially inducing drug shortages and driving up the price. These drug companies have completely ignored that the American people have underwritten hundreds of billions of dollars for research and development of the medication they sell for exorbitant amounts of money. Working families are paying sometimes hundreds of dollars per pill when they visit the pharmacy, and this must stop.

The people of San Diego County are resilient and understand how to stretch a dollar, but when it comes to vital medicine they need to fight off cancer, live with diabetes, thwart the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis, or deal with recurring mental health issues, pinching pennies on out-of-control prescription drug prices is not an option. I was appalled to learn that three in ten individuals have a hard time paying for the medications they need. I support your Administration’s plans to make taxpayer-funded medications more affordable and accessible to all Americans.” 

Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s letter has been submitted within the 60 day period for public comments on the Biden-Harris Administration Actions to Lower Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs by Promoting Competition, which was released on December 7, 2023. 

The full text of the letter is attached.