We have a huge, unprecedented opportunity to rein in prescription drug prices – but Big Pharma is lobbying hard to stop it.

The Department of Commerce has issued new guidelines invoking the federal government’s authority to use “march-in rights” to cap the price of medication developed by publicly funded research.

I’ve got more details below, but if you’re already convinced, join me and our friends at More Perfect Union by adding to the public comment period so we can demonstrate the country’s overwhelming support for lowering drug prices. It’s simple and only takes a moment.

Folks,

The average American spends more than DOUBLE for our prescriptions than our peers in other developed nations – despite the fact that most of these drugs are developed by publicly funded research.

Now the Department of Commerce is taking unprecedented action to lower drug prices.

For the first time, they have introduced a set of guidelines that say to agencies that if prices are too high for medicine that we paid to create with our tax dollars, the federal government can exercise its “march-in rights” and license the manufacturing to another company who will produce it for less.

Here’s the key: This law has been on the books for years – but it’s never been used to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Big Pharma is fighting to stop this, so we have to make our voices heard.

Commerce is holding an official comment period right now on the new guidelines. We need to make it clear that the voices of Americans who struggle with high prescription drug prices are front and center!

Our friends at More Perfect Union set up this easy tool where you can add your comments quickly and register your support for lowering prescription drug prices during this official comment period!

Here’s what the agency is proposing: The research and innovation behind many essential, life-saving medications is primarily funded by the U.S. government – with the public’s money.

The way it works right now, pharmaceutical corporations then take the drugs that were primarily developed by public funds and force you and I to pay as much as 3 times more for the medications we need than people in other countries. But with this rule change, instead of forcing us to foot the bill for Pharma greed, the administration can “march in”, and license the medicine to another corporation that won’t rip us off.

If used properly, this won’t even require the government to step in often. The belief is that the mere possibility that the government could march in should lead to corporations preemptively lowering prices for products that we, the federal taxpayer, have helped to finance.

I believe that healthcare is a human right, and I will fight for universal, free healthcare for all once I’m elected. But we’re not going to win that battle overnight. This rule change is a huge step forward that will substantially lower drug costs for millions of Americans.

As these guidelines are finalized, you’d better believe that Big Pharma lobbyists are working overtime to stop this new regulation in its tracks – and keep our pharmacy bills sky high.

That’s why it’s so important to lift our voices now in support of this action that protects our rights and access to lifesaving medications.

Let’s send a wave of public support to the Department of Commerce during their official comment period right now. Add your voice below and tell the Commerce Department “We want lower drug prices!”

In solidarity,

Jason