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Every day, I hear from Virginians who are struggling to afford their prescription medications. The reality is stark — people are taking half their prescribed doses, skipping days, or simply going without their medications because they cannot afford them. This is not just a healthcare crisis; it is an economic disaster for our communities.
This issue is impacting rural areas like those I’ve represented. These communities, already facing economic challenges, are burdened with skyrocketing prescription drug prices that leave families making impossible choices. Do they fill their prescriptions, or do they pay their electric bill? Do they buy the medicine they need, or do they put food on the table for their children? This is not a choice any American should have to make.
The numbers are staggering. Americans pay more than three times what citizens of other developed nations pay for the same prescription drugs. That simply does not make sense. We have the most innovative pharmaceutical industry in the world, yet our people bear the brunt of its unchecked pricing power. This is an issue that cuts across party lines, impacting Americans in both urban and rural areas, and it must be addressed with urgency.
Beyond the personal toll, the economic ripple effects are undeniable. When families are spending every extra dollar on medication, they are not dining out at their local restaurant, shopping on Main Street, or supporting small businesses. High prescription drug prices stifle local economies and hurt the very communities that fuel our country’s economic engine. Small businesses, already struggling to stay afloat, see fewer customers because so many families have nothing left to spend after covering their healthcare expenses. This has a compounding effect, leading to slower economic growth and job losses in already struggling communities.
And while President Trump is busy draining the swamp, here is another reform that should meet with wide bipartisan support: How about if the United States joined the rest of the civilized world in prohibiting pharmaceutical companies from advertising?
Sound extreme? Here are a few facts. Even during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, seven of the ten largest pharmaceutical companies spent more on marketing and advertising than on research and development. The United States is the most overmedicated society on Earth — there really isn’t a close second. And doctors face an unprecedented double-whammy: incentives from Big Pharma and patients who arrive at their offices already primed with symptoms to present, thanks to the latest multimillion-dollar ad campaign. Ending direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising wouldn’t just rein in an industry that prioritizes marketing over innovation — it would save lives, free up resources for real research, and lower drug costs for everyday Americans.
During my time in Congress, I advocated for solutions to help lower prescription drug costs, including supporting measures to increase price transparency and allow for more generic medications to enter the market. While progress was made, it was not enough. I continue to hear from constituents about how the cost of medication is impacting their lives, and I know we must do more. We need leadership at the federal level to take this issue seriously and enact real reforms.
President Trump vowed to Make America Affordable Again, and now is the time for him to act. He was elected with a clear mandate from the American people, many of whom are desperate for relief from rising healthcare costs. The President has the power to shine a light on this issue, pressure pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices, and push forward common-sense reforms that put Americans first. This could include policies such as increasing competition in the pharmaceutical market and cracking down on price gouging by major drug makers.
This is not about politics; it is about people, our neighbors, our families, and our communities. Prescription drug prices are out of control, and we need leadership in Washington that will stand up for those who are struggling. Addressing this crisis would not only help individuals and families but would also strengthen local economies and restore faith in our institutions.
I urge President Trump to take bold action to lower prescription drug costs. The time for talk is over; the time for solutions is now.
Between 2017-2019, Tom Garrett served in the United States House of Representatives serving the 5th Congressional District. From 2012-2016 he served in the Virginia State Senate in the 22nd District. From 2007-2011 he was the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Louisa County. He currently serves in the House of Delegates.
