What We're Reading: GOP Asks PhRMA for Drug Price Solutions; Measles Cases Hit 1000; Legalizing Marijuana

GOP Senators Look to PhRMA for Solutions to Lower Drug Prices

Number of Measles Cases Breaks 1000

Gillibrand Unveils Plan to Legalize Marijuana

Seeking cooperation from drug companies as the United States continues to search for ways to address drug costs, senators have sent a letter to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) asking them what solutions they have for increasing transparency and lowering prices, reported The Hill. Led by Senator Rick Scott, R-Florida, the group of 8 Republican senators asked the trade association what specific plans they have to address price disparities in the international market and asked if they are willing to work with the group to find real solutions.Six months into the year, the United States has recorded 1001 cases of the measles, marking the worst outbreak of the disease since 1992. According to The New York Times, there have been 61 new cases of the measles since May 27. The announcement of these new cases came as federal health officials issued a new plea for parents to vaccine their children. HHS Secretary Alex Azar re-emphasized that vaccines are a safe and highly effective public health tool that can prevent measles and end the current outbreak.Democratic presidential hopeful Kirsten Gillibrand has announced a plan to legalize marijuana and expunge all nonviolent criminal charges associated with it. According to the Associated Press, Gillibrand said she wants to ensure medical marijuana is covered by private health insurance and by Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. By working with Congress to decriminalize recreational marijuana use and tax nonprescription products, she said that she wants to use the proceeds to support job training and other programs for communities “disproportionately harmed by marijuana laws.”