Senator Alexander Statement on CMS Drug Rebates Announcement

Statement

Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma's announcement on prescription drug rebates:

"Rebates add unnecessary complexity. I favor moving away from rebates in the commercial and government markets and making sure the benefits of eliminating rebates go to patients. Generally speaking, it is wise to make big changes like this cautiously to avoid unintended consequences."

In February, regarding the Trump Administration's proposed rule on prescription drug rebates, Alexander said rebates ought to lower costs to patients and he would work with the Administration and the Senate Finance Committee to determine what additional steps can be taken.

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