October 2, 2019
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Keep your finger on the pulse of the most critical issues facing the industry, our Members and Patients with BioNJ's bi-weekly Public Policy Update .

Because Patients Can't Wait ®
FEDERAL
Speaker Pelosi Unveils Drug Pricing Proposal, Committee Consideration Begins
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi  unveiled her long-awaited proposal to address concerns with rising drug prices. The proposal would limit drug prices in Medicare Parts D and B to a set, negotiated price based on reference pricing from a basket of countries. The proposal would also compel manufacturers to continue Medicare participation by levying an excise tax of as high as 95 percent should the manufacturer not come to an agreement or refuse to negotiate altogether. Finally, the proposal levies significant civil monetary penalties on manufacturers that don’t offer similar pricing in the commercial marketplace. BioNJ believes this is the wrong way to address the costs that Patients pay at the pharmacy counter. (See September 19 Public Policy Alert for more information.)

Meanwhile, two U.S. House Committees – the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Committee on Education and Labor – held hearings examining the drug pricing proposal. The Committee on Ways and Means should follow suit with additional hearings and markups in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information on the schedule for consideration of Speaker Pelosi's drug pricing proposal.  
Ways and Means Releases International Drug Pricing Report
The Committee on Ways and Means also released a report titled “A Painful Pill to Swallow: U.S. Vs. International Prescription Drug Prices. The report concluded that drugs prices in the United States are higher than the combined average of 11 “similar” countries. The report is based on staff analysis of 2018 pricing data for 79 drugs. The report does not detail the potentially devastating effects of importing foreign price controls into the United States, where 95 percent of all cancer drugs developed between 2011 and 2018 are available. Patients – and the U.S. health system – benefit significantly from the existing drug discover and delivery systems with increased research in cell and gene therapy and other advances for rare diseases and other disease states. 
STATE
Senate Committee Analyzing Incentives Continues Work
The New Jersey Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies met on September 23 to further consider the impact and oversight of the State’s tax incentive programs. The Select Committee heard testimony from business and other leaders from Camden and other areas where companies were awarded incentives. The hearing focused on the impact of these incentives as well as ways to improve the incentive programs moving forward. The Select Committee is expected to issue a report on their findings once the incentives investigation has been completed.  
Last Chance - BioNJ Patient Advocacy Summit This Friday - October 4 
BioNJ’s Fourth Annual Patient Advocacy Summit is taking place this Friday, October 4, at Celgene in Summit, NJ. The Summit will bring together Patients, Patient Advocacy Groups, Caregivers and Industry for a morning of Education, Engagement and Empowerment! Attendees will gain valuable tools and insights, share best practices and meet key stakeholders within the health care ecosystem. Registration is free to Patient Advocacy Groups and BioNJ Member R&D (Innovation) company Patient advocacy and government affairs professionals. 
2020 Public Policy Sponsorship Opportunities Available 
BioNJ’s Public Policy Support Series sponsorship opportunities are available for 2020. Sponsorship opportunities help ensure BioNJ’s message is delivered in both Trenton and Washington, D.C. Help ensure BioNJ continues to deliver our message of improved Patient access and enhanced innovation through a public policy sponsorship.
Thank You To Our Public Policy Support Series Sponsors
Celgene Corporation
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