Americans pay the highest brand-name drug prices in the world. I ask Congress, the Administration, and importantly, our own Washington state legislators to take action now to lower prescription drug prices, the root cause of this problem.

I respect AARP for launching a national campaign urging federal and state policymakers to Stop Rx Greed by cracking down on price-gouging drug companies. The goal is to lower drug prices for all Americans through decisive actions and solutions aimed not only at the federal level but also at the state level. As a Kirkland senior who takes prescription drugs, I ask our legislators now meeting in Olympia to pass Senate Bill 5292, which would add increased transparency to prescription drug pricing and shine a light on price increases by drug manufacturers and insurance companies.

In 2017, the average annual cost for one brand-name medication used on a chronic basis was almost $6,800. For the average older American taking four and a half prescription drugs per month, the average annual cost would have been more than $30,000.

Some citizens must choose between paying for the medicines they need and paying for food, rent or other necessities. This is not the life we want to live. Ask the lawmakers representing you to work together and pass bipartisan, commonsense legislation to lower prescription drug prices.

John Barnett

Kirkland