Peter Bach of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Some drug makers are buying medicines from other companies and jacking up prices by 200, 500 and even 5,000 percent. New cancer treatments are so expensive that oncologists plan to petition the Obama administration to haggle over purchases.  And even the cost of some generic drugs – which are supposed to help lower health care bills – rose recently.

Everywhere you look it seems that prescription drug prices are a controversial – and urgent – topic.

But what can – or should – be done? A recent survey found most Americans want the federal government to negotiate prices for the Medicare Part D program. Some lawmakers are investigating different drug makers. The issue has even become fodder for the presidential election campaign.

So let’s chat about this.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 1-2 p.m. ET, we will hold a Pharmalot Twitter Chat – and our topic will be prescription drug pricing. Join us using #pharmalotchat

And our special guest host will be Peter Bach, a physician who heads the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York – and who developed an interactive calculator to compare the value of different cancer meds.

What better way to liven up your day, if not solve the world’s problems, yes?

Just look for #pharmalotchat to get started. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, drop us a line.

See you then.

What: Pharmalot Twitter chat on drug prices with special guest Peter Bach of Sloan Kettering, (@peterbachmd)

When: Wed., Nov. 4

Time: 1-2 p.m.

Follow along with #Pharmalotchat