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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Congressional Hearing on AbbVie Drug Pricing

Original title: UNSUSTAINABLE DRUG PRICES (PART III): TESTIMONY FROM ABBVIE CEO RICHARD GONZALEZ

January 1, 2021

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing represents a formal congressional inquiry into the pricing strategies of major pharmaceutical companies, which directly impacts the cost of prescription medications for patients and the federal budget.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

AbbVie Inc.

The company is the subject of a congressional investigation regarding its drug pricing practices.

Patients

Patients who rely on prescription medications are affected by the pricing strategies discussed in the hearing.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on May 18, 2021, to examine pharmaceutical pricing practices, specifically focusing on AbbVie's drugs Humira and Imbruvica. The hearing included testimony from the AbbVie CEO and various experts as part of a multi-year investigation into drug costs.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on May 18, 2021, by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
  • The committee released a sixth staff report specifically regarding AbbVie's pricing of Humira and Imbruvica.
  • The investigation into pharmaceutical pricing has been ongoing for over two years.
  • Witnesses included Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, Mr. Craig Garthwaite, Mr. Tahir Amin, and AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez.
  • The committee entered multiple reports and statements into the record, including documents from I-MAK, Families USA, and the American Economic Liberties Project.
  • The hearing is part of a series titled 'Unsustainable Drug Prices'.

Why It Matters

This hearing represents a formal congressional inquiry into the pricing strategies of major pharmaceutical companies, which directly impacts the cost of prescription medications for patients and the federal budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was part of a long-term congressional investigation into pharmaceutical pricing practices in the United States.
Which drugs were specifically discussed?
The hearing focused on the pricing of two drugs sold by AbbVie: Humira and Imbruvica.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Long-term Congressional Oversight

The document highlights a multi-year, sustained effort by the House Oversight Committee to investigate pharmaceutical pricing across multiple sessions of Congress.

Connected Entities

personCarolyn B. MaloneyChairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.Map →
otherHumiraBlockbuster drug sold by AbbVie.Map →
organizationAbbVie Inc.Pharmaceutical company under investigation for pricing of Humira and Imbruvica.Map →
organizationHouse Committee on Oversight and ReformCongressional committee conducting the investigation.Map →
otherImbruvicaBlockbuster drug sold by AbbVie.Map →
personRichard GonzalezChairman of the Board and CEO of AbbVie Inc.Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy75
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment40
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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