BERTRAM L. PODELL
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

131TH District, NEw York

Congress of the Anited States

House of Representatives
Washington, B. C.

July 22, 1969

Professor Joshua Lederberg

Department of Genetics

Stanford University S¢hool of Medicine
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford, California 94305

Dear Professor Lederberg:

I am in receipt of your letter and the enclosed
article, which I found most thought-provoking. We have
reached a point where the entire drug field must be reexamined
with a view to sweeping reform.

I am appalled at drug prices, particularly as they
victimze the elderly. I passionately believe that Medicare
should be extended to cover outpatient drugs in their generic
form and have introduced a bill to this effect, H.R. 9562.

I further feel that the generic name of a drug on drug
labels would complement the bill I have referred to above.
Why shouldn't people know the generic name? Why should they
not be able to acquire that drug under that name? The
physician need not be inhibited in his prescribing habits.
The pharmacist need not be inhibited in the manner he fills
a prescription.

The drug industry spends twice as much money annually
on advertising as it spends on research. Much of that
research money is government subsidy. The drug industry
is bloated with profits, heedless of consumer safety and
concern for poorer people. Voices like yours have been few
along a very dark road. Yet a better day will come.

incerely,

   

 

BERTRAM L. PODELL, M.C.
BLP:F:as