PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine is criticizing the Trump administration for abandoning pledges to let the federal government’s Medicare program negotiate lower drug prices and to allow drugs to be reimported from Canada.
Pingree said she believes consumers will not see any relief from rising drug costs unless both of those steps are taken.
President Donald Trump on Friday rolled out a blueprint for lowering prescription drug costs that includes a requirement that drugmakers disclose medication costs in television advertisements. Other proposals include speeding the process of switching prescription drugs to over-the-counter medicines.
In the Maine Legislature, Pingree pioneered the Maine Rx program that let state to use its purchasing power to lower prescription prices. She’s also led seniors on trips to Canada to buy prescription drugs.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.