WASHINGTON (AP) — A Congressman investigating secondary wholesalers accused of jacking up prices of crucial prescription drugs in short supply has introduced a bill meant to curb the problem.
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., is proposing reforms meant to deter price-gouging and make the drug supply chain safer. Cummings is the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
His bill would prohibit wholesalers from buying drugs from pharmacies and require wholesalers to list prices whenever trying to sell critical drugs in short supply. It also would create a national database to which wholesalers would have to submit updates on the status of their state licenses.
The shortages are disrupting hospital treatments and driving up costs.
