Driving Access to Affordable Drugs - Thoughtfully Considering International Pricing Provisions

Proposals that link U.S. drug prices to international pricing benchmarks must be carefully evaluated for their potential to affect domestic markets. Employers believe pricing strategies should prioritize sustainable access and affordability for American patients and plan sponsors while encouraging pharmaceutical innovation. Thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to international pricing provisions can help balance these goals without creating unintended cost pressures at home.

• ERIC Statement – House E&C Affordability Hearing (1.31.24)
  • ERIC emphasized that there has been various strategies, such as “international free-riding” that escape competition and result in n unconscionable prices and costs to plan
  • sponsors and patients.
• House Budget Health Task Force RFI (10.13.23)
  • The response to this RFI underscored the need to address market failures including “international free-riding” where Americans pay higher drug costs than other industrialized nations.
• 2022 Affordability RFI (2.4.22)
  • ERIC supports addressing issues related to so-called “international free-riding” wherein Americans pay vastly higher drug costs than other wealthy, industrialized nations.
• E&C Prescription Drug Statement (5.4.21)
  • The statement called for a balanced approach that evaluates international pricing models while preserving incentives for biopharmaceutical innovation in the U.S.