WHEREAS: 

The argument to reduce the cost of prescription drugs is an ongoing battle; and 

WHEREAS: 

People should not have to choose between paying for prescriptions or essential needs, such as food, shelter and clothing; and 

WHEREAS: 

Yet, it is the challenge Americans face as prescription costs are two to three times more than in other countries; and 

WHEREAS: 

In this current year (2024) prescription drug costs are expected to rise by 10% to 12%; and 

WHEREAS: 

Certain lifesaving medications, e.g., cancer treatments, insulin for diabetics and EpiPens for life-threatening allergies, are astronomically expensive, some as high as $1,000 or more for one pill, treatment or injection; and 

WHEREAS: 

Americans spend more on average for prescriptions when compared to other relatively wealthy countries. This is partly because prices for prescriptions are not regulated by the federal government; and 

WHEREAS: 

Pharmaceutical companies have created a monopoly by acquiring older drugs, patenting them and increasing the price exponentially. By doing this it is difficult for competing companies to make generic drugs; and 

WHEREAS: 

Pharmaceutical companies use direct-to-consumer advertising such as television, radio, magazines and recently social media, spending billions on advertising. The costs associated with these ads further inflates drug prices. The consumer pays more for the prescriptions because of these tactics used by the pharmaceutical companies; and 

WHEREAS: 

Rising drug prices are a major health priority among the general population, specifically the infirmed and elderly; and 

WHEREAS: 

Although President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law on Aug. 16, 2022, to include provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare and to reduce drug spending by the federal government, more must be done to lower the costs of all prescriptions. 

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will lobby Congress to spearhead positive change by demanding pharmaceutical companies have transparency, and to continue reforms on the skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME will form partnerships with leaders across the political divide to foster accountability, to negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry and to facilitate meaningful federal regulation and oversight to effectively reduce pharmaceutical costs. 

SUBMITTED BY: Sheera Glass, Delegate
James Whooley, Delegate
Juliet White, Delegate
Thomas Orawiec, Delegate
AFSCME Local 154, District Council 37
New York