ROCHESTER, N.Y. \u2014 Most can agree that prescription drug costs in the United States are high. What folks can\u2019t agree on is what the solution to that problem looks like. <\/p>\n
For example, our Deanna Dewberry and her husband and kids take prescription medication. When she went to pickup an over-the-counter drug and four prescriptions, her total came to $84.31. <\/p>\n
What\u2019s the solution? <\/p>\n
\u201cLook, the high cost of prescription drugs is at the center of our affordability crisis right now,\u201d said former U.S. Representative Joe Cunningham. \u201cAnd voters are gonna make their voices heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former representative Cunningham, a Democrat, and JD Hayworth, a Republican, are on opposite sides of the political aisle. But the two agree on this. <\/p>\n
\u201cReigning in the greed of big pharma is by far the top priority and codifying most favorite nation is at the top of that list,\u201d said Cunningham. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the poll numbers are incredible. this is one issue where there\u2019s great unanimity,\u201d said Hayworth. <\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, American pay about three times more for prescription drugs than other wealthy nations. <\/p>\n
Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing would cap the cost the U.S. pays for brand name drugs at the lowest price other developed nations pay. <\/p>\n
The \u201creal driver\u201d of costs <\/p>\n
While the public may agree, policy analysts do not. A Harvard article says \u201cMFN pricing is a shortcut masquerading as a solution.\u201d The article points to middle men known as Pharmacy Benefit Managers as the real drivers of inflated drug costs. <\/p>\n
READ MORE: Harvard\u2019s article on MFN pricing as a solution to prescription drug costs <\/a><\/p>\n The PBM is a middle man with a big role in controlling what you pay and what your pharmacist gets paid. The PBM develops a list of the medications your insurer will cover, negotiates rebates and discounts, and pays pharmacies for the drugs you buy. <\/p>\n PBM controversy <\/p>\n The role is controversial. Why? <\/p>\n Let\u2019s say your pharmaceutical company charges $1 per pill for a drug. The PBM negotiates a rebate of 50c. The PBM keeps a portion of that rebate. Let\u2019s say 20c for itself, and then passes the rest (30c) to your insurer. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Federal Trade Commission\u2019s article on PBMs <\/a><\/p>\n