Make America Healthy Again By Holding Big Pharma Accountable

As a registered nurse, I find it deeply troubling to witness the growing health crisis among Americans. More and more individuals are facing serious health issues, and it’s alarming to see a once-healthy population becoming increasingly unwell.

Life expectancy in the U.S. is lower than in other developed countries, and the rates of chronic illnesses like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease are alarmingly high. Furthermore, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness.

As a state legislator, I am outraged that American patients pay some of the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world. In just four years, the cost of new drugs in this country has doubled, and U.S. patients pay more than three times the price compared to other developed nations for the same medications.

There is a bipartisan consensus regarding the anger over this exploitation of American patients. Nearly 85% of voters – including 89% of Republicans, 84% of Democrats, and 78% of independents – believe that drug company profits are a major factor contributing to the high cost of prescription medicines. Furthermore, a separate poll conducted this summer found that nearly 80% of voters support President Trump’s executive actions aimed at lowering costs by requiring drug manufacturers to offer the U.S. “most favored nation” (MFN) status in price setting.

I appreciate that President Trump is addressing this issue directly. The administration recently reached an agreement with Pfizer, in which the company will sell certain medications to Americans with Medicaid coverage at MFN prices, as well as at reduced prices through direct-to-consumer sales programs. While this is a positive step, it is crucial to ensure that Big Pharma makes prescription drug prices affordable for all Americans, meaning we must put an end to price-gouging.

Additionally, President Trump has taken accountability measures by highlighting the billions of dollars Big Pharma spends each year on advertising to influence consumer habits, often with little transparency. The Trump administration has also issued a memorandum to ensure that pharmaceutical companies accurately disclose the side effects of medications marketed directly to millions of Americans each day.

Reducing the cost of prescription drugs is vital for the Americans who need them, but more action is necessary if we are to truly "Make America Healthy Again." Like Secretary Kennedy, I believe we must return to basics: healthy, nutrient-dense foods, regular exercise, and fresh air.

This year, Arizona made significant progress by passing a law aimed at removing junk food, including artificial dyes and additives, from school lunches. A genuine MAHA revolution requires each of us to adopt healthier lifestyles.

This will be the most effective long-term strategy for reducing chronic diseases, improving quality of life, and lowering healthcare costs for American families. We need to simplify access for Americans to healthy choices, including lifesaving prescription medications. This requires holding Big Pharma accountable.

State Senator Janae Shamp is a registered nurse and a member of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. She was elected in 2022 and resides in Surprise, Arizona.