Senate HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders Calls On Merck and J&J to Explain Sky-High Prices for American Patients
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is holding a press conference calling on Merck and J&J CEOs to testify in front of the Senate HELP Committee about high drug prices. The news comes as the HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on a subpoena for both CEOs next week. To date, these companies have refused to testify despite producing some of the most expensive prescription drugs on the market. Both companies are suing the federal government to stop Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors in a blatant effort to protect their massive profits. In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:
“We commend Senator Sanders for his tireless efforts to bring down drug prices for patients. While companies like Merck and J&J are raking in billions, Americans are routinely skipping doses and cutting pills in half because of the outrageous cost of lifesaving medications. Merck and J&J’s Janssen are in court right now to stop Medicare from negotiating lower prices in order to keep prices high for patients. We are all sick and tired of being ripped off by big drug companies, and these CEOs owe it to the American people to testify.”
Background:
GREED WATCH: Merck Announces Over One Billion More Revenue This Quarter Than Last Year