American patients have faster access to a wider range of medicines than anyone else \u2014 at least for now.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s because entrepreneurs and businesses in America continually harness the latest science to develop treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases like cancer and chronic conditions such as diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there are looming threats from unelected bureaucrats and some members of Congress, which could have dire consequences for advancing private-sector medical innovation. One example is the utilization of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to impose artificial price controls on the development of small molecule drug discovery \u2014 an essential and invaluable component of many patients\u2019 treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, the Senate\u2019s recently introduced SMART Prices Act proposes additional price controls in the United States, which, based on evidence from other leading economies, irreversibly damages access to the latest medical innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Innovation from the private sector plays a vital role in developing new medical diagnostics, treatments, and cures \u2014 accounting for up to 90 percent of new pharmaceutical products. Without their risk-taking and investments, these innovations would never reach patients. While government funding for early-stage scientific research is essential, the private sector leads 75 percent of research and development efforts. Simply put, innovative medicines are delivered to patients through applied science from private companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they have in Europe and elsewhere, price controls will force these innovators to exit America\u2019s innovation marketplace in droves and shelve promising new medical treatments. A recent study shows that price controls may put the development of more than 400 new medicines at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s already happening. Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said the company had already\u202fdropped\u202fa blood cancer drug from its research and development pipeline because they \u201ccouldn\u2019t make the math work.\u201d He said, \u201cIn light of the Inflation Reduction Act, this program no longer met the threshold for continued investment.\u201d Likewise, Alnylam\u202fceased\u202ftheir research and development into a new treatment for a rare eye disease due to the need \u201cto evaluate the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act.\u201d Similarly, Novartis\u202fwarned\u202fthat the IRA could discourage investment in its most promising areas of research and development: RNA and radioligands.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The data shows this is the trend unless something changes. The U.S. Chamber\u202fPatient Access Report\u202fshows how market-restrictive policies, like those in the IRA and\u202fSMART Prices Act,\u202fdeter future innovation, inhibit patient access, and ultimately limit patient choices. The report shows other leading nations that have implemented similar policies see fewer overall biopharmaceutical product launches, including biologics and oncology products, and longer wait times for new medicines to enter the marketplace.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of the 104 new oncology products launched globally since 2017, 80 percent were accessible to American patients, as opposed to 56 percent in Europe. Meanwhile, patients in other highly developed nations with price controls face long wait times to access new treatments. For instance, in Germany, patients waited an average of 133 days, while in Spain, some had to wait up to 500 days.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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American patients deserve better. That\u2019s why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will continue championing the work of our brightest scientific minds and most innovative companies through a comprehensive campaign to educate policymakers about the life-or-death consequences the IRA,\u202fSMART Prices Act,\u202fand other price control mechanisms will have on the most vulnerable Americans.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We urge our leaders to undo the innovation-killing IRA provisions and to abandon consideration of the proposed\u202fSMART Prices Act\u202fbefore it\u2019s too late.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katie Mahoney is Vice President, Health Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Brad Watts is Vice President, Patents and Innovation Policy, at the Chamber\u2019s Global Innovation Policy Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n