US needs ‘a president who will take on the pharmaceutical industry’: Sanders

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders has blasted former Vice President Joe Biden for praising drug companies at a fundraiser, saying the United States needs “a president who will take on the pharmaceutical industry.”

News ID: 447082

Date: 16 September 2019 - 23:26

RNA - Sanders on Sunday said that he disagreed with Democratic presidential hopeful Biden, saying the companies are "greedy, corrupt and engaged in price fixing," The Hill reported.

“At a time when their behavior is literally killing people every day, America needs a president who isn’t going to appease and compliment drug companies — we need a president who will take on the pharmaceutical industry – whether they like it or not. When we defeat Donald Trump, that’s exactly what we are going to do,” the statement said.

Biden reportedly praised pharmaceutical drug companies in a fundraiser on Saturday.

"By the way, great drug companies out there — except a couple of opioid outfits," Biden said at the event.

Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) clashed with Biden during the Democratic debate on Thursday when discussing his plans for health care.

Biden slammed Sanders's "Medicare for All" plan for costing too much, while Sanders defended the plan saying in other countries such healthcare systems work. Sanders has argued to decrease the power of drug companies with an aim at bringing down costs for patients.

On Thursday, former US Housing Secretary Julián Castro also criticized Biden over his healthcare plan, accusing him of betraying the positive aspects of President Barack Obama’s legacy and refusing to disown the negative parts. Biden wants to change the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

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