Bredesen outlines plan to align cost of US prescription drug prices to other countries

With an overt attempt at bipartisanship that touches on President Donald Trump's "America first" approach to governing, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Phil Bredesen announced a proposal Tuesday aimed at lowering drug costs in the United States. 

Speaking to the Economic Club of Nashville at a Tuesday event inside Bridgestone Arena, Bredesen outlined a plan that he said would significantly lower the price of prescriptions for Americans.

"President Trump put forth a plan to deal with this, which I think has got some very good aspects," Bredesen said. "But it also kind of nibbles around the edges of what is a very large problem in our country."

Bredesen's proposal comes as he looks to sway independent and Republican voters to cast a ballot for him over his opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn. 

As he outlined his plan, Bredesen said that Americans pay significantly more money for three different prescription drugs compared to residents of places like Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. 

With remnants of music blaring from inside the main arena pouring into the Patron Club event, Bredesen said that a cholesterol drug in industrialized countries costs on average of about $25 a month.  

"The U.S. list price for the drug is $216," he said, adding that, with discounts, the drug costs about $86 in the United States. He said that Medicare — which by law is prohibited from negotiating drug prices — pays $190 for the drug.

Bredesen said he thought his proposal might be of interest to Trump. If the president planned to return to Tennessee to campaign for his opponent before the election, the former governor said he would be willing to talk about his prescription drug idea.

After Tuesday's event, a spokeswoman for Blackburn called Bredesen's idea to meet with Trump was a political stunt.

Calling Trump an excellent negotiator, Bredesen said the president and Congress could use what is called the most favored nations clause, which ensures a seller gives a buyer the best terms for something available to others.

"This is something that started out in the world of international trade," Bredesen said. 

Under his plan, Bredesen said the United States, which is often the largest buyer of prescription drugs, will pay whatever price manufacturers determined, as long as it is in line with other countries.

"Very simple and straightforward," he said. "A couple of small changes in the laws and we could immediately do that."

Bredesen said his idea was merely an expansion of Trump's America First approach and that he'd be willing to work with the president. 

The former governor also addressedseveral concerns people may have about his proposal. He said while drug companies often inflate prices to cover development costs, there is no reason the United States should be footing the bill over other countries.

Bredesen rejected the notion that his idea involves government overreach, saying the plan would not set the price, but instead make it align with other countries. 

Noting that some might say his idea could cost jobs, Bredesen joked that the only ones to lose work over his plan would be lobbyists, who he said would find other work. 

Closing his remarks, Bredesen said, "Drug prices are way too high in this country and it's hurting taxpayers."

The latest proposal is Bredesen's fourth major idea of his campaign. He previously pitched plans to expand broadband to rural areas through the Tennessee Valley Authority, overhaul the federal student loan system and address the national debt. 

Tennessee Senate race:Bredesen, Blackburn outline plans to address national debt

Student Loans:Phil Bredesen proposes overhaul of federal student loan system

Rural Broadband:Phil Bredesen: Tennessee Valley Authority should help expand broadband to rural areas

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Bredesen said his plan is evidence that he is willing to work with Trump on something that could "really move the needle" on prescription drug prices. 

"If I'm elected, I have no problem at all with saying let's go talk to some of the staff members and the president and let's figure out how we might do something like this on a bipartisan basis," he said. 

Abbi Sigler, a spokeswoman for Blackburn's campaign, said Bredesen's call to sit down with Trump was hollow, given his previous campaign contributions to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. 

"This is just another phony political stunt," Sigler said. 

Bredesen's latest proposal comes one day before early voting begins. 

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen outlined how Americans pay more for the following drugs a month:

                                                Germany    Canada    United States

Crestor (Cholesterol drug)       $41             $32        $216 (list price); with discounts $86

Advair (asthma drug)               $38             $74        $310 (list price); with discounts $155   

Gleevec (leukemia drug)         $3,003         $2,420   $10,122 (list price); no discount available 

Source: 2015 Bloomberg news article