Big Pharma launches secretive campaign to kill Oregon drug transparency bill

How far will the pharmaceutical industry go to protect its giant profits?

An investigation by the Eugene (Oregon) Register Guard reveals pharmaceutical interests are using a Virginia calling firm and a false narrative in order to kill House Bill 4005, a proposal pending in the Oregon Legislature that would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to report big drug price increases to the state and to explain the reason for those increases.

A Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, Caregiver Voices United, funded by Big Pharma has hired a Virginia firm to call Oregonians and ask them to send a letter to 13 targeted lawmakers. Oregonians are told that the bill must be stopped in order to “protect patients’ rights.” The seven-page script used by the out-of-state firm doesn’t make a single mention of drug prices, according to the newspaper’s report.

Pharmaceutical interests are using a Virginia calling firm and a false narrative in order to kill House Bill 4005

In reality, the Oregon legislation is similar to laws adopted in other states in an attempt to counter skyrocketing prescription drug prices. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, told the Register Guard that the attempt to spread false information to consumers about the bill “shows how low the pharmaceutical industry will go.”

Had enough? Oregonians for Affordable Drug Prices, a coalition that supports the bill, asks consumers to send their own message to Oregon lawmakers. You can send the pre-written message here or write your own.

And please share how you’ve been affected by rising prescription drug prices with Voices for Affordable Health. Together, we can make a difference.