[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1869-E1870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 4646, THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG FAIRNESS ACT

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                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 4646, a bill allowing pharmacies to purchase drugs for

[[Page E1870]]

Medicare beneficiaries at the substantially reduced prices already 
available under the Federal supply schedule. This important piece of 
legislation would dramatically lower prescription drug costs for senior 
citizens.
  Most Americans are aware of the ever increasing costs of health care 
and prescription medication. But no segment of the American population 
is impacted more than our senior citizens. Senior citizens are having 
an increasingly difficult time affording prescription drugs. For senior 
citizens on fixed incomes, the cost of prescription drugs is one of 
their highest monthly bills and can mean the difference between buying 
basic necessities or medicine. No senior should ever be forced to 
choose between buying food or medicine, especially those with disabling 
ailments who often depend on their medication just to make it through 
the day.
  Seniors are being forced to pay much steeper prices than the ``most 
favored customers'' of drug companies such as HMO's. It's just plain 
wrong for large pharmaceutical companies to be charging the highest 
prices to those who can least afford to pay them. Large corporations 
should not be making a profit at the expense of our senior's health.
  H.R. 4646 would fix this problem by leveling the playing field for 
retail pharmacies who sell drugs to senior citizens. This legislation 
would allow retail pharmacies to buy medications used by senior 
citizens directly from the General Services Administration (GSA) of the 
Federal Government. Because the GSA is one of the entities able to 
purchase prescription medication at much lower prices, this procedure 
will allow pharmacists to pass on significant savings to senior 
citizens.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that 
protects the health of our Nation's senior citizens. I urge all my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

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