WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pointing to the support of national seniors, labor, and consumer organizations for the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act, HR 664, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today warned pharmaceutical companies that their practice of overcharging seniors for prescription drugs would come to an end.

Organizations supporting the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act include the National Council of Senior Citizens, Families USA, Public Citizen, United Auto Workers and National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Schakowsky, a cosponsor of HR 664, said, "Pharmaceutical companies are overcharging senior citizens, and as a result, are enjoying record profits on the backs of those most in need of prescription drugs.  With the support of national seniors, labor, and consumer organizations, and a growing grassroots movement, the gouging will come to an end."

Schakowsky called on Congress to immediately pass the Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act.  HR 664 would allow pharmacies to purchase drugs for Medicare beneficiaries at the same low prices available to the federal government and other favored customers.

"We are facing a public health crisis.  Keeping the status quo will only mean that more seniors will have to decide whether to use their limited resources to fill a prescription or to buy food or to pay the rent," said Schakowsky.

Earlier this year, Schakowsky released a study that shows seniors living in the 9th Congressional District are being gouged by prescription drug prices.

The study, conducted by the House Government Reform Committee, found that seniors on Medicare and persons with disabilities who do not have prescription drug coverage are paying on average 114% more than drug companies' most favored customers, such as insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and the federal government.  The study also concluded that pharmaceutical companies, not drug stores, are responsible for the inflated prices being paid by seniors.