GOP senators ask PhRMA for solutions to lower drug prices

A group of eight Republican senators is writing to pharmaceutical companies asking them what solutions they have for lowering drug prices.

The letter to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America released Thursday, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), says the lawmakers are looking for “cooperation” from drug companies as they seek to lower drug prices.

Lowering drug prices is an area of intense interest in both parties, and a rare issue where bipartisan action is possible this year.

Some Democratic lawmakers are taking a more confrontational approach than the senators on Thursday’s letter, saying that they want to pass legislation to lower prices no matter that drug companies want.

The GOP senators on the letter say they want drug companies' cooperation in lowering prices.

“Soaring drug prices are a serious problem and a problem Washington should have addressed long ago,” the senators write. “We cannot understand why Americans pay two to six times more than the rest of the world for brand name prescription drugs or why the U.S. comprised 42% of global pharmaceutical revenues based on 2016 data.”

In addition to Scott, Sens. Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyCNN's Jim Acosta on delta variant: 'Why not call it the DeSantis variant?' Schumer moves to shut down debate on T infrastructure bill Cruz rips GOP colleagues who are 'complicit' with Biden spending agenda MORE (R-Mo.), Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioRepublicans are the 21st-century Know-Nothing Party Hillicon Valley: Federal cyber agency kicks off effort to defend US against cyberattacks | Senators introduce bill to sanction nations tied to ransomware attacks | Amazon pushes back corporate reopening Senators introduce bipartisan bill to sanction nations involved in ransomware attacks MORE (R-Fla.), Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonRepublicans are the 21st-century Know-Nothing Party Senate rejects GOP effort to add Trump border wall to bipartisan infrastructure deal Johnson suggests FBI knew more about Jan. 6 planning than has been revealed: report MORE (R-Wis.), Mike BraunMichael BraunEarmarks, the swamp's favorite tool, return to Washington Senate in talks to quickly pass infrastructure bill The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Cuomo defiant as Biden, Democrats urge resignation MORE (R-Ind.), Kevin CramerKevin John CramerRepublicans are the 21st-century Know-Nothing Party Sunday shows preview: US grapples with rising COVID-19 cases Senate GOP shifts focus to fight over Biden's .5 trillion budget MORE (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanSenate votes to end debate on T infrastructure bill Overnight Defense: Police officer killed in violence outside Pentagon | Biden officials back repeal of Iraq War authorization | NSC pushed to oversee 'Havana Syndrome' response Graham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate MORE (R-Alaska) signed the letter.

Scott and Hawley are sponsors of legislation that would prevent drug companies from charging higher prices in the United States than they do in other wealthy countries. That approach departs from standard free-market Republican orthodoxy on drug prices and has drawn concern from some other GOP senators.