In a rare display of bipartisan unity, two former congressmen are pressing lawmakers to enshrine the Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing policy into law. Joe Cunningham, a Democrat from South Carolina, and JD Hayworth, a Republican from Arizona, argue that the current system allows pharmaceutical companies to charge Americans exorbitant prices for prescription drugs, far more than patients in comparable countries.
Their call comes as the White House has already taken executive action to pursue international reference pricing, but Cunningham and Hayworth warn that executive orders can be easily overturned by future administrations. They are backing the Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act, introduced last year with bipartisan support, which would codify MFN pricing as permanent federal policy.
The former lawmakers, who now serve as spokespeople for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, point to stark disparities in drug costs. For instance, the blood thinner Eliquis costs $7,100 annually in the U.S. versus just $650 in France. They note that while Americans represent only 5% of the global population, the U.S. generates 75% of Big Pharma's global profits—a clear sign of a pricing model that prioritizes corporate profits over patient access.
High drug prices not only strain family budgets but also lead to worse health outcomes. When patients skip doses or forgo medications due to cost, it results in more hospitalizations and up to $500 billion in avoidable healthcare spending each year. The authors argue that this is a direct consequence of a system that gives manufacturers unchecked pricing power in the U.S. market.
The MFN policy would tie U.S. drug prices to the average paid by other wealthy nations like Canada, Germany, Japan, and the UK. This approach, they argue, would balance the scales and ensure American taxpayers are not subsidizing drug development while also paying the highest prices in the world. The Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance has released new research highlighting Big Pharma's anti-competitive practices and advocating for MFN as a solution.
Recent polling shows strong public support for taking on the pharmaceutical industry, with 77% of Americans saying they are more likely to back a candidate who challenges Big Pharma. Nearly the same share want the MFN executive order codified into law. Cunningham and Hayworth argue that Congress should seize this rare bipartisan opportunity to deliver lasting reform.
As the nation's aging infrastructure strains under new demands, healthcare affordability remains a pressing kitchen-table issue for millions of families. The former congressmen emphasize that this is not about partisan politics but about ensuring Americans are not treated as Big Pharma's profit center. They urge lawmakers to act now, before the window for meaningful reform closes.
With midterm elections on the horizon, the issue of drug pricing is likely to resonate with voters. The push to codify MFN pricing represents a concrete step toward reining in healthcare costs, and supporters hope it will become a cornerstone of American drug policy for years to come.
