Congress Must Champion Arizona Patients Over Big Pharma

For over 40 years, registered nurse Robin Schaeffer has been dedicated to patient care, yet she feels compelled to speak out about a troubling issue affecting them. The escalating costs of prescription medications in the United States have reached alarming levels, far exceeding those in other developed nations.

Recent data reveals that Americans pay three times more for prescription drugs than citizens in comparable countries. The price of many medications has surged by more than 40% in the past decade. Shockingly, nearly 250 prescription drugs saw price increases at the start of 2025 alone.

Schaeffer attributes this crisis to the practices of pharmaceutical companies, often referred to as “Big Pharma.” These companies consistently raise prices on essential medications, forcing patients into difficult situations where they must choose between basic necessities like food and housing or vital prescriptions.

Take, for instance, the cost of GLP-1 medications designed to help manage weight and diabetes. In the U.S., these drugs can run close to $1,000 per month, while researchers from Yale University estimate the production cost is less than $5 monthly. This discrepancy highlights an unacceptable profit margin that burdens American families.

The high costs extend beyond individuals, impacting government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Schaeffer emphasizes that when medications become unaffordable, patients often resort to cutting pills in half or forgoing their treatments altogether. Such decisions can lead to deteriorating health and the development of chronic diseases, ultimately increasing costs for everyone.

Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry invests millions lobbying federal representatives to maintain their interests and inhibit competition, coupled with tens of billions spent on marketing to consumers. There are also concerns regarding the ease with which officials transition between governmental regulatory roles and high-paying positions in the pharmaceutical sector, raising questions about the level playing field for regulation.

Schaeffer urges the new administration and Congress to implement significant reforms aimed at making medications more affordable. She calls on Arizona’s congressional delegation to seize this opportunity to protect patients and promote public health, emphasizing that Arizona’s nurses and healthcare workers would welcome such actions.

Robin Schaeffer is a registered nurse and former executive director of the Arizona Nurses Association.