Statement Regarding PBM Reform and Transparency
See the Statement The unions and member companies of PILMA have consistently called for reform in the supplychain; namely, addressing the opacity in the system with middlemen such as insurancecompanies and PBMs. Specifically, PILMA has urged Congress to act to: With a market that sees the largest PBMs controlling more than 80% of the covered […]
Prescription drug board would stifle innovation
COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on every American and every industry in the U.S. In response, scientists moved at record-breaking speed to develop a new vaccine that saved thousands of lives. Less recognized but no less essential was the unprecedented mobilization of America’s building trades to create the infrastructure for manufacturing and delivering those […]
PILMA Statement on CMS’ Announcement of Price Controls on Prescription Drugs
August 30, 2023 Download statement here. Today, PILMA released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement on the first list of medicines in Medicare to be subject to price controls: Today’s announcement by CMS is government price controls on medicines in Medicare under the guise of negotiation. […]
The Biden administration resisted political pressure — and saved union jobs
The Biden administration recently rejected progressive activists’ calls to scrap critical patent licensing agreements between research universities and biotech companies. President Joe Biden was right to resist this political pressure. Too many good-paying union jobs are at stake. The activists had good intentions; they wanted to give patients cheaper access to lifesaving medicines by having the […]
United Association General Presidents’ Letter responding to the Senate Committee on Finance
On July 10, 2023, PILMA sent the following letter to Senator Wyden and Senator Crapo. Download the letter here. Dear Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Crapo: The Pharmaceutical Industry Labor-Management Association (PILMA) is writing to express support for ongoing efforts of the Senate Committee on Finance to address conflicts of interest and an overarching lack […]
Union General Presidents’ Letter on Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislative Reform
On April 20, 2023, PILMA sent the following letter to Senator Wyden on the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act. Download the letter here. Dear Senator Wyden, On the behalf of SMART, Ironworkers International, United Association, IBEW and IUOE, we applaud the recent efforts of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to bring additional […]
Ron Klink: America can’t give the world all our ideas, if we really want to help the world
When I was in Congress, politicians on both sides were eager to offer “bumper sticker solutions” to the problems of the day. Then, as now, the easiest solutions — those that can be slapped on a bumper sticker — are rarely the best choices for the nation in the long term. Of necessity, the Biden […]
Michigan patients deserve relief at the pharmacy counter
As a leader of Plumbers UA Local 98, we are providers of a skilled workforce to Michigan’s biopharmaceutical industry, helping to construct needed research and manufacturing facilities to help produce and discover new cures. In providing this work, our members benefit from the health and welfare benefits connected to these construction jobs. Our members build […]
IBEW General President Lonnie R. Stephenson’s Letter to Secretary Raimondo on TRIPS Waiver
Read the letter here Dear Secretary Raimondo: I am deeply concerned that the World Trade Organization’s recent decision to waive intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines will harm American workers, and I fear the WTO may soon compound the damage by expanding the waiver to Covid-19 treatments and diagnostic tools. I strongly urge your office […]
GENERAL PRESIDENT JOSEPH SELLERS’ LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN ON TRIPS WAIVER
Read the letter here Dear President Biden, I am reaching out today on behalf of the 203,000 members of the International Association ofSheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) to request your help in protectingAmerican workers. As you know, there is an ongoing effort at the World Trade Organization toexpand its waiver of intellectual […]