Reining in Big Pharma for Utah's most vulnerable

Yahoo

28-03-2025

Over the past decade, pharmaceutical companies have steadily increased prices on essential and life-saving medications — often without meaningful improvements in effectiveness or safety. (Getty Images)
As president of Poder Latino, I have witnessed firsthand how the rising cost of prescription drugs intensifies the struggles faced by Spanish-speaking Latina women living in unhealthy domestic situations. Our mission is to break down barriers so these women can access critical resources, gain independence, and build better lives across Utah. However, ever-rising medication prices add another layer of hardship to those already contending with limited finances, housing instability, and the complexities of leaving abusive environments.
Help for people in abusive relationships is available in Utah:
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: A confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
Utah child abuse and neglect hotline: [phone]-DCFS (3237)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: [phone]
Over the past decade, pharmaceutical companies have steadily increased prices on essential and life-saving medications — often without meaningful improvements in effectiveness or safety. These corporate decisions to raise costs well beyond inflation disproportionately affect low-income families and individuals who cannot endure unexpected expenses. For Spanish-speaking Latinas facing domestic violence, every dollar must be allocated carefully, whether it goes toward safe shelter, legal aid, or counseling services. When prescription drug prices surge, these women face an impossible dilemma: Do they choose to pay for necessary medications or use that money to escape an abusive situation?
In Utah, where the cost of living is already climbing with inflation and rising housing expenses, soaring drug prices can tip the balance between stability and crisis. This burden is even greater for those who speak English as a second language, as they navigate additional challenges — such as finding translation services and managing an unfamiliar health care system. When medication becomes unaffordable, women often find themselves vulnerable to chronic illnesses, untreated mental health issues, and preventable illnesses — problems that only worsen if they are also dealing with trauma and abuse at home.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies continue to thrive, reaping enormous profits by charging Americans far more than patients in other countries for the same medications. This price disparity disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities who lack economic leverage, further trapping them in cycles of poverty and jeopardizing their future stability. The injustice is stark: Big Pharma benefits while families are forced to make impossible sacrifices, leaving their most basic health needs unmet.
Utah's congressional delegation — lead by Republican Sens. John Curtis and Mike Lee — have the power to make a profound difference by championing federal legislation that holds pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for unchecked price hikes. Reforms could range from capping out-of-pocket costs and tying price increases to inflation, to demanding transparent pricing structures that force drugmakers to justify steep hikes. Another crucial aspect is ending the 'revolving door' between the industry and the agencies meant to regulate it — a practice that has long prioritized profits over public health.
By reigning in prescription drug costs, we can create a stronger safety net for the women we serve — ensuring they have access to the medications they need while they navigate housing, job training, and legal challenges. Affordability is not just a matter of financial relief; it is a necessary component of basic human dignity and empowerment. When women have the resources, they need to maintain their health, they are in a better position to break free from abusive environments and rebuild their lives.
I urge our senators and representatives to keep the needs of our most vulnerable Utahns at the forefront of the legislative process. Lowering the cost of prescription drugs is an essential step toward ensuring that every woman — regardless of language barriers, income, or life circumstances — has an equitable opportunity at a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life. The well-being of our entire community depends on it.