Letter to the editor: Sen. Kim Ward’s inaction on drug pricing costing Pennsylvanians

Pennsylvanians face unaffordable prices for their drugs. Pharma’s record profits in 2021, estimated at $120 billion, have grown twice as fast as other business sectors. It is long past time for our state legislators to act now on Senate Bill 579, which establishes a pharmaceutical transparency review board.

This year alone, the prices of 784 prescription drugs have already gone up. The pharmaceutical transparency review board created by SB 579 is an important way to highlight how much more Pennsylvanians are charged for their drugs.

Legislators on both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation that would create such an entity that offers transparency, accountability and oversight. But state Sen. Kim Ward has allowed SB 579 to remain “stuck” in committee.

Conservative legislatures in Florida, Ohio, Nevada, Louisiana and Texas have already passed similar legislation. Why hasn’t Ward taken similar steps to protect Pennsylvanians?

Ward must take action now to move SB 579 from committee. Her leadership failure requires an explanation and an apology to all Pennsylvanians. It is time for Ward to protect her constituents and all Pennsylvanians from pharma profiteering.

Michael Pardus

Penn Township, Westmoreland County