Sanders Warns Biden: Health Nominees Must 'Stand Up and Fight' Big Pharma, or Lose His Support

Senator Bernie Sanders, the chair of the Senate health panel, has issued a stark warning to President Joe Biden: any future health nominee who is not prepared to "significantly lower the price of prescription drugs" will face his opposition. This stance reflects Sanders' long-standing concerns about the high cost of prescription drugs, which he believes has resulted in "tens of billions of unnecessary costs" to Medicare and Medicaid.

Sanders, who has the power to slow-walk nominees, is particularly critical of the pharmaceutical industry's influence on health leaders. He points to the NIH's rejection of a petition by prostate cancer patients to allow the government to step in and license patent rights for the pricey cancer drug Xtandi as an example of a policy he wants the agency to reverse.

The senator is also pushing for the NIH to take a harder line with industry partners, citing its support for Moderna's research and development of its mRNA vaccine but its struggles to influence the company's subsequent financial practices. "You're not going to be able to charge any price you want," Sanders said.

Expect Sanders to underline his stance at today's Senate HELP markup of drug-price legislation. He will also bill Republican co-sponsor Sen. Bill Cassidy, who has said he is eager to move forward on drug pricing reform.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Bernie Sanders has warned President Biden that he will oppose future health nominees who are not prepared to lower the price of prescription drugs.
• Sanders has long-standing concerns about the high cost of prescription drugs and its impact on Medicare and Medicaid.
• He points to the NIH's rejection of a petition by prostate cancer patients to license patent rights for the pricey cancer drug Xtandi as an example of a policy that needs to be reversed.
• Sanders is pushing for the NIH to take a harder line with industry partners, challenging their ability to charge any price they want.
• The senator will champion drug-price legislation in the Senate HELP committee, with a markup expected soon.

Statistics:

• Over 30 million people with both Medicare Part A and Part B are enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans, compared to nearly 60 million with traditional Medicare.
• The high cost of prescription drugs has resulted in "tens of billions of unnecessary costs" to Medicare and Medicaid.
• 50-46 vote in which Sen. Bernie Sanders voted against confirming Dr. Robert Califf as the head of the FDA.
• 30+ million people with both Medicare Part A and Part B are enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans.
• 50 million people in the U.S. without access to oral health care.

Sources:

• "Senator Bernie Sanders Warns Biden: Health Nominees Must 'Stand Up and Fight' Big Pharma" by Dan Diamond, McKenzie Beard, and Rachel Roubein.
• "A Year After Roe v. Wade Ruling, Biden Administration Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates" by Dan Diamond.
• "U.S. Surgeon General Declares Loneliness a Public Health Threat" by Fenit Nirappil.
• "Judge Blocks Missouri's Emergency Rules Imposing New Restrictions on Gender Transition" by Casey Parks.