Bobby Jindal and Charlie Katebi

When other countries systematically underpay for drugs, everyone suffers

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump vowed to end the chronic disease epidemic and keep America’s children healthy and disease-free. An important step begins abroad, pressuring other wealthy countries to abandon policies that restrict access to lifesaving medicines, ensuring chronically ill patients receive the treatments they need.

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, pose one of the most significant health threats to Americans today. The share of Americans with multiple chronic conditions increased from 21.8% in 2001 to 27.2% in 2018. In 2022, these illnesses claimed the lives of 1.9 million Americans, accounting for eight out of the 10 leading causes of death.

High-quality prescription drugs are among the most effective treatments for chronic diseases. Pharmaceutical products can reduce the severity of patients’ conditions so they can live longer and healthier lives with fewer medical expenses — every dollar spent on medications for diabetes and congestive heart failure can save $3-$10 on emergency room and inpatient hospital visits. A study published in 2022 found that overall, prescription drugs are responsible for 66% of the increase in longevity in the United States between 2006 and 2016. Imagine the difference treatments not yet available might make.

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