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July 16, 2002
Dear Senator:
Consumers Union urges your support of the "Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act (GAAP Act) of 2001 (S. 812)." This legislation would streamline and improve the generic drug approval process, saving consumers billions of dollars. We believe that companies trying to bring generic drugs to market face too many unnecessary obstacles and that the removal of these barriers will increase competition and deliver lower-priced drugs to consumers.
We support wider access to affordable medicines for all Americans, especially the uninsured, the underinsured, the elderly, and the disabled. Today, health care costs are spiraling out of control for consumers and employers. Between 1999 and 2000 alone, prescription drug spending increased by 17.3% -- the sixth year of double-digit increases. According to a 2002 Brandeis University study, older Americans could save $250 billion over the next ten years through the increased use of generic drugs. The Schumer-McCain bill is a cost-saving measure that will help rein in spiraling prescription drug expenditures -- a critical first step toward the implementation of an affordable Medicare prescription drug benefit.
This legislation will improve consumer access to generic drugs by restoring the balance between innovation and competition. We believe that the anticipated cost savings from this measure is a necessary foundation for the Senate to build a comprehensive prescription drug benefit into Medicare.
Sincerely,
Janell Mayo Duncan
Legislative Counsel
Consumers Union Washington, DC Office
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