Generic Drug Competition Key to “Smart Savings” Approach to Budget

Statement by National Coalition on Health Care President and CEO John Rother on a new GPhA proposal to Promote Generic Drug Savings

“This proposal to spur generic drug competition is one important example of the “smart savings” we need to roll back the sequester and meet the nation’s fiscal challenges.

Greater generic use can generate billions in federal savings without shifting costs to consumers, states or the private sector.  Recommendations to close the REMS loopholes, promote medication adherence, promote biologic drug competition, reform payment for Medicare Part B drugs, and incentivize greater generic use by state Medicaid programs enjoy support from the provider, payer, and consumer organizations that make up the National Coalition on Health Care and were important elements of our NCHC Plan for Health and Fiscal Policy released last November.

With the battle lines over the budget deepening this week, these recommendations are a great place to begin the search for common ground.”

To read NCHC’s own Plan for Health and Fiscal policy, click here: Curbing Costs, Improving Care: The Path to an Affordable Health Care Future.

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The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), the oldest and most diverse group working to achieve comprehensive health system reform, is a 501(c)(3) organization representing more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers and groups representing consumers, patients women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Member organizations collectively represent – as employees, members, or congregants – over 100 million Americans.

Some members of the National Coalition Health Care do not, or cannot, take positions either on specific legislation, strategies or on any policies outside their respective mission areas. However, all that can, do endorse broad policy positions in support of comprehensive health system change.

 

Document: Mar 13 – Generic Drug Competition Key to Smart Savings Approach to Budget