AUDIO: Sen. Mark Kelly says lowering prescription drug prices is “long overdue”

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Prescription drugs
  • Runtime: 1:59
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

Byline: Emma VandenEinde

HOST INTRO: 

ARIZONA SENATOR MARK KELLY SAT DOWN WITH PATIENTS AND ADVOCATES YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) TO TALK ABOUT LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS. CRONKITE NEWS’ EMMA VANDENEINDE HAS MORE. 

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ONE OF THOSE PATIENTS WAS JUDY WILSON. SHE LIVES WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS [sklr·ow·suhs] WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED HER ABILITY TO USE HER BODY.

“I’ve lost much of my hearing. Have no sense of smell. My eyesight is compromised. My gait is off.” (9 SECONDS, MONO 10)

SHE TRIED CERTAIN TREATMENTS, BUT THEY WERE NOT WORKING, SO HER DOCTOR PRESCRIBED COPAXONE (kuh-PAX-un). SHE RELIED ON A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION TO HELP PAY FOR IT, BUT IN 2021, THE MONEY RAN OUT, AND SHE HAD A DIFFICULT DECISION TO FACE.

“After discussions with my doctor, I decided to go off my medications…But I want to emphasize that the decision to stop my medication was based on money. Not medicine.” (13 SECONDS, MONO 10)

THIS IS COMMON FOR MANY SENIORS IN ARIZONA. DANA KENNEDY, THE STATE DIRECTOR FOR A-A-R-P ARIZONA SAYS PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES HAVE DWARFED EVEN THE HIGHEST RATES OF GENERAL INFLATION.

“If consumer prices had risen as fast as drug prices over the last 15 years, gas would now cost $12 and 20 cents a gallon.” (9 SECONDS, MONO 6)

TO FIX THESE INCREASES, KELLY COSPONSORED LEGISLATION TO GIVE MEDICARE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO SETTING PRICES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR ELDERLY AMERICANS, ACCORDING TO KELLY.

“We’re talking about medications that people need to survive. Arizona families and seniors are facing choices that nobody should ever have to make.” (10 SECONDS, MONO 5)

THIS IMPACTS MORE THAN JUST WILSON. SUGANYA KARUPPANA [suh-GUNNA CARE-ah-PUN-ah], THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR VALLE DEL SOL COMMUNITY HEALTH, SAYS THESE POLICIES AFFECT EVERYONE. 

“You don’t need a physician to tell you that none of us escapes the aging process.” (5 SECONDS, MONO 7)

THE BILL WAS MOVED TO THE COMMITTEE OF FINANCE LAST MONTH, SO IT STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE IT IS PASSED IN THE SENATE. YET, KELLY SAYS THIS LEGISLATION IS LONG OVERDUE AND NEEDS TO GET PASSED NOW.

I’M EV, CRONKITE NEWS.