Concord, N.H. – Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that it would take steps to allow for the importation of certain lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada to help with prescription drug affordability.

“The high cost of prescription drugs causes anxiety for Granite Staters and families across our country. No one should be forced to make impossible choices between paying their mortgage, putting food on the table, or paying for their medication. While the measures outlined by the Administration today do not offer a complete fix, this is a good first step toward allowing Americans to purchase lower-cost medications from Canada and could help lessen the burden for those who are struggling to afford the treatment they need.

Earlier this year, the House passed legislation to lower prescription drug costs and bring generic drugs to market faster – it’s time for the Senate to act. There is more we can do, including enforcing greater transparency in drug pricing and allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for volume discounts. I hope that this Administration will work with Congress to take meaningful action to lower costs and ensure all Americans have access to quality care.”

Kuster has been vocal about the need to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and has called for the direct negotiation of Medicare with pharmaceutical companies to reduce prescription drug prices. In May at an Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, Kuster questioned Dr. Mark Miller, Executive Vice President of Health Care at Arnold Ventures, about the impact greater transparency in drug pricing and direct negotiation by Medicare would have on the affordability of prescription drugs. Kuster has made clear the need to make improvements to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has put forward solutions to improve access to affordable healthcare. Her legislation, the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act, passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in May.

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