During his recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden made remarks that seemed to suggest Russia had better prescription drug prices than the United States. In what appeared to be an off-the-cuff moment, Biden humorously mentioned flying to Toronto, Berlin, and even Moscow to get prescription drugs at a lower cost. He acknowledged his slip-up by saying, 'I mean, excuse me – well, even Moscow, probably.'
The President's comments were in the context of his administration's efforts to reduce prescription drug costs for Americans. The United States currently faces some of the highest prescription drug prices globally, leading to financial burdens for many consumers.
Biden's statement about obtaining prescriptions for 40% of the cost paid in the U.S. when purchasing from the same company and location highlighted the stark disparity in drug pricing between countries. The issue of high drug prices has been a longstanding concern for policymakers and the public alike.
While the President's remarks may have been made in jest, they underscore the seriousness of the prescription drug affordability problem in the United States. The comparison to other countries, including Russia, serves as a reminder of the need for solutions to address the rising costs of medications for American patients.
