Secretary Azar Statement on UnitedHealthcare Drug Discount Announcement

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar issued the following statement today after UnitedHealthcare announced that they would be sharing manufacturer rebates and discounts with patients at the pharmacy:

“Today’s announcement by UnitedHealthcare is a prime example of the type of movement toward transparency and lower drug prices for millions of patients that the Trump Administration is championing. Empowering patients and providers with the information and control to put them in the driver’s seat is a key part of our strategy at the Department of Health and Human Services to bring down the price of drugs and make healthcare more affordable. We are already seeing clear momentum toward the type of innovation in the private-sector that will be an important part of the value-based transformation that is coming to America’s healthcare system.”

Yesterday, Secretary Azar delivered a speech to the Federation of American Hospitals where he addressed transformation of the healthcare system based on value rather than volume, and on pricing transparency for patients instead of special interests. He said “the only option is to charge forward — for HHS to take bolder action, and for providers and payers to join with us.” To read the speech please visit: https://www.hhs.gov//about/leadership/secretary/speeches/2018-speeches/remarks-on-value-based-transformation-to-the-federation-of-american-hospitals.html.