Coburn to ask for investigation of prescription pricing

(Washington-AP) -- U-S Representative Tom Coburn says he'll ask the Department of Justice to investigate the way drug companies set prices on prescriptions. <br><br>The Oklahoma congressman says

Thursday, June 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Washington-AP) -- U-S Representative Tom Coburn says he'll ask the Department of Justice to investigate the way drug companies set prices on prescriptions.

The Oklahoma congressman says prices certainly look an awful lot alike. Coburn says he thinks there are no independent pricing decisions made to gain market share.

Coburn says he'll make his request for the investigation in a letter to the D-O-J by next week. He says congressional action on proposals regarding prescription drugs for the elderly should wait for the results of the investigation.

Coburn says the federal government already has evidence that drug prices are not being independently set. He cites two consent decrees that have been worked out.