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September 21st, 2006	Contact: Kimberly Collins Phone: 202-224-5364
SMITH WORKS TO INCREASE SAVINGS FOR SENIORS THROUGH GENERIC DRUGS
To raise awareness of the cost-savings value of generic drugs, Chairman Gordon H. Smith (R-OR), with Ranking Member Herb Kohl (D- WI), convened the Special Committee on Aging for a hearing titled, “Increasing Generic Drug Use: Savings for Seniors and Medicare.” The hearing examined the ways government and other health care purchasers can raise public awareness about the safety and value of generic prescription drugs. “Generic drugs can be a key tool in driving down health care costs,” said Chairman Smith. “However, the cost benefits can not be achieved unless we continue working to break down barriers to bring these drugs swiftly to market and raise awareness about their effectiveness and affordability.” Committee members heard testimony from: Dr. Mark McClellan, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Bill Vaughan, Senior Policy Analyst, Consumers Union. Tim Antonelli, Clinical Program Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Dr. William Shrank, Department of Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Harvard Medicaid School, who presented research he has conducted about the effect physicians have on the prescribing of generic drug alternatives. Chairman Smith called on CMS to encourage prescription drug plans (PDPs) to strike a fair balance between giving seniors access to the drugs they need and saving money through viable generic alternatives. Chairman Smith also noted that more research is needed to compare the safety and effectiveness of generic drugs to brand-name counterparts in order to effectively educate providers and consumers about the benefits of generic prescription drugs. The Oregon Health Sciences University program, the Drug Effectiveness Review Project, was recognized by Chairman Smith as a model for nation-wide generic drug education efforts.
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