Table of Contents

HHS should allow for generic competition among Ozempic-like drugs to lower consumers’ drug prices
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bacerra, consumer-interest organizations called on the agency to use existing legal authority to allow competition for the diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which would lower prices for consumers.

Task force urges steps to prevent prescription drug shortages
The Task Force on Preventing and Mitigating Drug Shortages, of which Consumer Action is a member, urged lawmakers to prioritize the issue of preventing and mitigating drug shortages—a situation that has for years impacted millions of Americans and resulted in serious negative consequences for patients, health systems and hospitals.

Support for legislation to lower prescription prices for U.S. consumers
Consumer Action expressed support for legislation that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow American wholesalers, pharmacies and individuals to import affordable and safe drugs from Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Switzerland as a way to make prescriptions more affordable.

Big Pharma and industry groups should drop lawsuits attempting to block drug price negotiation
More than 70 organizations demanded that Big Pharma executives and industry groups end their resistance to drug price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Key policies recommended to expand access and lower insulin prices
Consumer Action and dozens of other advocacy organizations joined in a letter urging Majority Leader Schumer to include key policies to expand access and lower insulin prices in the anticipated drug pricing package.

Groups urge U.S. senators to advance legislation that would result in lower drug prices
More than 40 advocacy organizations sent a letter to the 118th Senate urging the lawmakers to advance legislation would result in lower drug prices for millions.

Groups support CMS proposal to require a generic drug cost-sharing tier for standardized health plans
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Consumer Action and its allies applauded the agencies’ efforts to standardize health plan choice by requiring generic drugs be placed on “generic” tiers and brand-name drugs on “brand-name” tiers—a step that would help consumers avoid confusion and save money.

Protect the rights of 45 million contact lens consumers
In a letter to Congress, advocates urged legislators to oppose the so-called Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act (S 1784 and HR 3353). The bills aim to undo almost two decades of protections for contact lens consumers, would drive up prices, and would reduce choices for contact lens consumers.

Advocates urge Congress to pass online kids’ safety reform
In a letter to Congress, coalition groups urged legislators to provide protections for kids and teens online. Advocates warn that the business model of the internet as we know it today isn’t healthy for children. Among their questionable practices, Big Tech companies prioritize continued engagement and data collection over taking offline breaks, encourage kids to share their sensitive data to get more “likes,” and expose young people to predators online.

It’s time to stand up for patients and to stop Big Pharma from ripping us off
As the Senate considered the terms of a reconfigured reconciliation package, 91 organizations representing patients, consumers, seniors, unions, small businesses, large employers, and physicians and disease advocacy groups sent a letter to all 50 Senate Democrats urging them to take immediate action to advance a reconciliation package that includes the reforms to lower prescription drug prices in the Build Back Better Act (BBB). These drug pricing reforms are not controversial for the people of America; they are the most popular element of BBB. Over 80% of Americans support them—Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike.