Chamber of Commerce warns drug pricing plan could limit access to new treatments

A new plan under discussion in Washington aims to reduce what Americans pay for prescription drugs by linking prices to those set overseas. The idea, often referred to as the Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy, would tie U.S. drug costs to those charged in foreign countries where governments negotiate prices directly with manufacturers.

Supporters say the proposal could bring immediate savings for patients facing high costs at the pharmacy. But according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that approach could also create unintended consequences — including delays in access to critical new treatments and major impacts on job growth within the industry.

Lexi Branson, Vice President of Health Policy at the Chamber, says countries with strict price controls often face long wait times for new medications. She points to markets like Germany and Spain, where patients can experience delays of up to 500 days before new drugs become available.

The Chamber’s analysis also predicts significant economic impacts if MFN pricing were implemented. Nationally, nearly 22 million American jobs could be affected, including close to 778,000 in California’s life sciences sector alone.

Advocates argue that any long-term policy must balance affordability with continued innovation — especially in areas like cancer research and rare disease treatment, where breakthroughs rely on sustained investment.

Branson says market-driven solutions such as increased competition and transparency could help lower prices while ensuring patients still have access to cutting-edge care. For those interested in learning more, she points to resources available at USChamber.com/PriceControls.

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