We need our lawmakers to look out for patients and families, not big drug company profits.

It is a common refrain at the Oklahoma State Capitol that lawmakers should pursue free-market solutions, avoid costly government mandates, and not support special interests over the best interests of all Oklahomans.

A harmful bill that would increase health care costs by millions for Oklahoma’s families, businesses and patients has moved forward in our state Legislature. Senate Bill 1860 would undermine the quality of care patients can access and raise costs, while doing nothing to address the outrageously high drug prices established by big drug companies.

Carolyn Coburn didn’t really know the going rate for a COVID-19 test, but she was pretty sure $2,715 was too much.

And she was darn sure her late husband, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, would think so, too…

Despite taxpayer subsidies, prescription drug prices are nonetheless increasing at an alarming rate. In 2019, price increases from drug manufacturers affected more than 3,400 drugs.

In 2013, five pharmaceutical companies exceeded 20% profit margins: Pfizer, Hoffman-LaRoche, AbbVie, GSK and Eli Lilly.

Researchers say bold bipartisan action is needed to stem the rising cost of popular prescription drugs that treat cancer, diabetes and other conditions.

• More than 3,400 drugs have boosted their prices in the first six months of 2019, an increase of 17% in the number of drug hikes from a year earlier.

• The average price hike is 10.5%, or 5 times the rate of inflation.

• The drug hikes come at a time when lawmakers and the Trump administration have vowed to address the problem of rising prescription costs.