Representatives request study of drug prices

posted by Lawrence Shipman

As Congress continues to debate extending health insurance coverage to all Americans, a few of its members are trying to get investigations started regarding increases in drug prices.

In a letter sent to the General Accounting Office, a number of Democrats have requested analysis into whether drug companies are artificially inflating drug prices. Members of the House who signed the letter - Charles Rangel, Henry Waxman, Pete Stark, and John Lewis - noted in it that drug companies have been watching the health debate with an eye to how new reforms may affect drug prices.

"Any price gouging is unacceptable, but anticipatory price gouging is especially offensive," the letter stated.

The letter comes after the New York Times published an article that showed recent analysis indicated drug companies have increased drug prices more rapidly in the past year. The letter requests that the GAO analyze price trends.

Recently, the Senate put forward its own version of health care changes in the form of a 2,074-page bill. Recently, the House narrowly passed its own version of changes in the health care system.