Friends and Neighbors,
Session is picking up steam. Next week we’ll hear our first bill on the Senate Floor—a rental assistance proposal. I support the intent behind helping people stay housed, but I believe there are better ways to spend those dollars. Right now, some medical centers in our state are in real financial crisis and could use the help to keep serving patients and their communities. I’ll keep you posted as the debate unfolds.
This week, I presented my bill in the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee to lower prescription drug costs by banning TV ads from pharmaceutical companies. It’s an ambitious idea, but in my last session, I’m taking one final swing at making a difference. I also presented a bill that supports the Rural Cancer Institute. Rural Minnesotans often struggle to find cancer care close to home, and this bill would help hospitals and clinics expand cancer care for these patients.
These ads account for roughly a quarter of the industry’s budget, and those costs get passed straight on to consumers in higher drug prices. Most other countries don’t allow this kind of advertising, and it’s time the U.S. moves in that direction.
A big thank-you to the FFA students who visited the Capitol this week and advocated for Minnesota’s farmers. Your voice matters for our economy, our rural communities, and our food supply. It’s always inspiring to see the next generation step up.
Stay tuned for more updates next week.
Thanks for reading,
Rich
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Lowering Drug Prices by Banning TV Ads for Prescriptions
This week, I presented Senate File 3650, a bill aimed at reducing the soaring cost of healthcare by prohibiting prescription drug manufacturers from using televised advertisements to promote the direct sale of their drugs to consumers. The proposal was heard in the Minnesota Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
Pharmaceutical companies spend billions every year on advertising. Those costs get passed on to consumers through higher drug prices. People end up spending more time watching prescription drug ads on TV than they spend talking with their doctor. By getting rid of these TV ads, we can significantly reduce the advertising budgets of pharmaceutical companies and pass the savings on to consumers.
Televised direct-to-consumer prescription drug ads are common in the United States but prohibited in nearly every other country. New Zealand is the only other nation that allows them in a similar form. According to the National Library of Medicine, the average TV viewer in the U.S. watches as many as 16 hours of drug advertisements per year, far more time than the average individual spends with their primary care physician.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has criticized drug advertisements as misleading and harmful to the doctor-patient relationship.
“Drug companies spend up to 25% of their budget on advertising. Those billions of dollars would be better spent on lowering drug prices for everyday Americans,” said Commissioner Makary.
The bill advanced out of committee and will next be heard in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
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Thanks to FFA for visiting the Capitol this week. Impressed by these students. Our farms will be in good hands.
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MN Fraud Files
Originally created during the eight-year term of Gov. Mark Dayton, Center of the American Experiment’s Scandal Tracker was reopened to account for the ever-growing list of frauds and scandals perpetuated under the Tim Walz administration.
Your one-stop resource for everything related to state government fraud in Minnesota
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Contact Me
Be sure to follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates throughout the session.
I always appreciate hearing from constituents. It helps me do my job better and stay focused on the issues that matter most to you.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, feel free to reach out. You can email at sen.rich.draheim@mnsenate.gov, and my legislative assistant, Henry Rosckes, is available at henry.rosckes@mnsenate.gov.
Thanks for reading.
Senator Rich Draheim
Minnesota Senate, District 22