Memo: Progressive Pharmaceutical Policy Can Stand Up To Scrutiny
Democrats have proposed several major reforms to pharmaceutical pricing in the most recent Congress. Some members have expressed concerns that a well-financed opposition campaign from pharmaceutical companies could erode the Democratic majority. In this survey, we subjected Democratic proposals to realistic and clear Republican counterarguments to simulate an electoral environment. Voters remained overwhelmingly supportive of the progressive pharmaceutical policies, even after hearing opposition messages.
Executive summary
After hearing pharmaceutical company counter-arguments, voters support ending some pharmaceutical patents 48-30 percent and allowing the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies 65-22 percent.
After hearing pharmaceutical company counter-arguments, large majorities of Democrats and independents support allowing the government to rescind pharmaceutical patents if prices are exorbitant, as do three in ten Republican voters.
