For Immediate Release
Linda Benesch, 240-342-4301, lbenesch@socialsecurityworks.org
Progressives Win Two Huge Victories Over Big Pharma
WASHINGTON - The following is a statement from Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works:
"This week, progressives won two huge victories over greedy pharmaceutical corporations.
For months, we've been fighting to get pharma friendly provisions out of NAFTA 2.0. Yesterday, House Democrats announced that the revised trade deal does just that, removing a requirement that would have required signatory countries to give pharma corporations a 10 year monopoly on biologic drugs.
Pharma lobbyists are livid about their loss on trade, and they'll only get more upset when the Lower Drug Costs Now Act passes the House later this week. Progressive champions, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), pushed hard to improve the bill, which is a strong first step to take on pharma greed.
This week's events are only the beginning. Voters overwhelmingly support bold action to lower drug prices, and political leaders are listening. Nearly every major candidate in the Democratic primary, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg, has bold plans to curb pharma's government granted patent monopolies. Big Pharma has been revealed as a paper tiger, and they should be running scared."
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The mission of Social Security Works is to: Protect and improve the economic security of disadvantaged and at-risk populations; Safeguard the economic security of those dependent, now or in the future, on Social Security; and Maintain Social Security as a vehicle of social justice.