The U.S. Congress is currently debating a new healthcare system reform bill, with a primary focus on controlling drug prices. The legislation aims to reduce the cost of prescription medications, particularly those that impose a significant financial burden on chronic disease patients, such as insulin and cancer treatment drugs.
According to government data, drug prices in the United States are the highest globally, with some medications costing up to three times more than in European markets. This has led to widespread public dissatisfaction and policy pressure. The new bill proposes capping the annual price increases for specific drugs and requires pharmaceutical companies to provide transparent cost reports before setting prices for new medications.
The United States has the highest drug prices in the world. (Photo: Courtesy of Pexels)
While patient advocacy groups broadly support the plan, the pharmaceutical industry strongly opposes it, arguing that it will stifle innovation and investment. Experts note that the passage of this bill could significantly impact the competitive landscape and innovation capacity of the U.S. healthcare market and might emerge as a critical issue in the upcoming presidential election.
