In a letter to the GAO, "four House leaders" sought "government reviews of pricing practices" in response to "news reports of unusually high wholesale price increases in brand-name prescription" medications. Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) asked the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general "for 'an immediate and thorough investigation into" pharmaceutical "industry pricing and recent increases, and the extent to which these increases may affect the Medicare and Medicaid programs.'"
The requests come amid "suspicion that the increases are an attempt to maximize profits ahead of potential price controls included in a healthcare overhaul," CQ Today (11/19, Wayne) reports. AARP recently released data indicating that pharmaceutical "companies raised prices for brand-name products 9.3 percent since October 2008." In their letter to the GAO, Henry Waxman (D-CA), chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Charles Rangel (D-NY), chair of the Ways and Means Committee, wrote that "any price gouging is unacceptable, but anticipatory price gouging is especially offensive." Reuters (11/18, Heavey) andCongressDaily (11/19) also covered the story.

Related Links:

- Rising Prices of Drugs Lead to Call for Inquiry," Duff Wilson, The New York Times, November 18, 2009.