Efforts in DC to Reduce Drug Costs Could End Up Costing Lives

Both the Trump Administration and House Democrats are considering the introduction of the International Pricing Index (IPI) model into our health care system in an effort to save costs. The problem is this move could end up costing patients’ access to the next wave of cutting-edge medical treatments.

The United States’ investment in medical innovation has made it possible for patients to have access to the latest drugs available. For example, the U.S had access to 95 percent of cancer drugs that were launched between 2011 and 2018 compared to only 55 percent in the 16 countries that follow the IPI model.

I’m concerned the IPI model will put our nation’s most vulnerable patients at risk. Complex treatment regimens for serious diseases and conditions are not interchangeable with other patients, meaning that two cancer patients may not have the same outcome under the same treatment. This is why patients must be able to access all drugs available. Efforts to reduce costs must be patient-centered; the IPI model is not the answer.

James Harrington

Hamilton Square