The US Chamber of Commerce is suing the US Authorities over a brand new program that might enable Medicare to barter drug costs, alleging the initiative is unconstitutional.
The Chamber filed the go well with in opposition to the US Division of Well being and Human Providers together with the US Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers on Friday in an Ohio district courtroom.
The Chamber’s go well with echoes one filed by drugmaker Merck (NYSE:MRK) earlier this week that argued the brand new drug pricing program violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the US Structure.
This system in query was created below the Inflation Discount Act, which was handed by Congress final yr. The laws provides Medicare the precise to barter costs with drugmakers to assist management prices.
On Friday, the US Chamber posted a press release on its web site about why it was suing the federal government over this system, which it known as “unlawful value controls.”
“Authorities value controls hurt sufferers, restrict entry to medication, and stifle American innovation,” the US Chamber wrote. “Furthermore, the brand new provisions within the Inflation Discount Act violate elementary protections at no cost enterprise enshrined in our Structure, which might have far-reaching implications sooner or later.”
Extra on Medicare drug pricing:
Merck sues US Authorities to halt Medicare drug pricing program
AbbVie, Amgen amongst companies focused for Medicare inflation penalties
Medicare to cowl Alzheimer’s medicine granted full FDA approval
Medicare publishes preliminary steering on drug value negotiations