Bernie Sanders Refusing to Support NIH Pick until Biden Presents Drug Price Strategy

Senator Bernie Sanders has made a firm commitment to oppose President Joe Biden’s selection for the head of the National Institutes of Health, as well as any other nominees for health-related positions, until the administration provides a plan to reduce prescription drug prices.

“I will reject all nominations until the government presents a clear strategy on how we can significantly decrease the exorbitant cost of prescription drugs,” Sanders stated in an interview with The Washington Post on Monday evening.

Sanders, who holds the position of Senate Health Committee Chair, has control over when his committee reviews nominees for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Biden administration will be unable to confirm their nominee for the NIH director position, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, or any other present or future health agency nominees without the support of this independent Vermont senator.

Last month, the administration announced its intention to nominate Dr. Bertagnolli, a cancer surgeon in charge of the National Cancer Institute.

The White House, in response to Sanders’ concerns about drug pricing, highlighted President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, a significant law aimed at addressing the high cost of prescription drugs.

One provision of this act penalizes drug manufacturers who charge prices that increase at a quicker rate than inflation for Medicare beneficiaries.

Lawmakers, researchers, and advocates have repeatedly warned that drug prices in the United States surpass those of other nations and ultimately harm Americans who require life-saving treatments.

Sanders, a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry, along with the majority of his committee members, released a report Monday analyzing the cost of prescription drugs developed with NIH funding and research.

The report concluded that Americans consistently pay higher prices for drugs supported by the NIH compared to individuals in other countries.

The White House also acknowledged Biden’s concern over drug pricing by stating that he signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which is regarded as the most impactful legislation addressing the high cost of prescription drugs.

One provision of this act penalizes drug manufacturers who charge prices that increase at a quicker rate than inflation for Medicare beneficiaries.

According to the report, the average price of new treatments developed with the assistance of NIH scientists over the past two decades is $111,000. With the exception of one treatment, prices in the United States exceed those in other G7 countries.

For instance, a drug known as Kepivance, used to treat severe mouth sores, costs $19,000 in the U.S. However, the same treatment, developed by biotech company Sobi, only costs $5,000 in Italy.

The report also argues that federal officials are missing opportunities to ensure pharmaceutical companies set reasonable prices for new medicines that receive partial funding from taxpayers.

“The federal government should also cease granting monopolies on public inventions,” the report stated, providing examples of instances where health officials appear to have relinquished taxpayer-funded technology without gaining much in return.