Here is what I believe:

The greed of pharmaceutical companies is killing Americans.

In the United States, and this is unique among industrialized nations, drug companies can charge any price they want for prescription drugs. So they do. And as a result, we pay the highest prices in the world, by far, for the medicines we use.

Taking on the pharmaceutical industry has been one of my long time fights.

In 1999, I became the first member of Congress to take constituents over the Canadian border to purchase low-cost prescription drugs. With tears in their eyes, working-class women struggling against breast cancer were able to purchase the same brand-name medicine they were using in Vermont for one-tenth of the price in Montreal.

This Sunday, we are going back to Canada with people with diabetes to purchase insulin at one-tenth of the price.

The trip is going to get a lot of attention. And before we leave for Canada, I want you to join me in sending a message that I hope will be heard loudly and clearly, as well:

Sign my petition — tell Congress you believe the government should negotiate with drugmakers for lower prices and allow for the importation of less expensive but safe and affordable drugs from other countries.

(A photo from my trip to Canada in 1999)

During the last presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to take on the outrageously high prices of the pharmaceutical industry. He told us that they were getting away with murder.

But the truth is, and this will not surprise you, Trump has shown time and time again he does not have the guts to do what it takes to police drug companies and lower prices.

When we are in the White House, I will take them on.

When we are in the White House, we are going to significantly lower prescription drug costs in America.

When we are in the White House, under Medicare for All, there will be a cap on what people will have to pay for medicine.

Because I — like you — am sick and tired of hearing from Americans who have lost loved ones because they could not afford the unbelievably high cost of prescription drugs.

I — like you — have had enough of hearing from people who are forced to cut their pills in half due to cost.

And I — like you — cannot understand the absurdity that it costs TEN TIMES as much for insulin in the United States than the same exact drug in Canada.

Americans are DYING because we are the only major country that allows drug companies to raise prices to whatever they want, whenever they want.

And it is not a radical socialist idea to suggest that has got to end — that we can import medication from Canada where they pay a lot less for the same exact drugs.

The overwhelming majority of the American people support this idea.

Congress should as well.

Sign my petition — tell Congress you believe the government should negotiate with drugmakers for lower prices and allow for the importation of less expensive but safe and affordable drugs from other countries.

Honestly, I cannot remember Big Pharma ever losing a major legislative battle. They win, the American people lose.

That ends when we are in the White House.

So keep the faith, sisters and brothers. And please remember that despair is not an option. We will keep fighting. And we will win.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

ADD YOUR NAME

 

 

PO BOX 391, Burlington, VT 05402

Before you go about the rest of your day, help power our fight against the billionaire class by making a contribution today.

Submit this form to update your contact information.