Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar last week met with Republican lawmakers of the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss ways to lower drug prices.
House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) said Azar gave lawmakers an update on steps the administration has taken on drug prices. Brady stated, “We talked about what steps can Congress take to help lower these prices as well.” Brady did not provide specifics on where Congress might act.
Most observers speculate action will have to mostly come from the administration, given that Congress has long struggled to address the controversial issue of drug pricing. Asked if he expected more administrative actions to be announced in the near future, Brady said, “The answer is yes.” This meeting came one day after a new Wells Fargo report showed drugmakers raised the prices of 60 products last month, down from more than 100 in July.
