James M. Cornelius

CEO
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)

"It's interesting both candidates have taken the position that something has to be done about pharmaceutical pricing. They make that general statement. I don't know whether they make it out of ignorance or actual policy decision, but I think it's the wrong decision.

If we are to remain a bastion of innovation for all these things—whether it's a drug-eluting stent or a new Abilify [a product for psychiatric disorders] or a more effective treatment for runaway diabetes, I don't think you do that with price control. I'd say don't [address drug prices] as your first measure to try to balance the budget.

I, like most people, feel that the uninsured ought to have access. I'd put that as a higher priority than ratcheting down drug prices to balance the budget. Out of fairness, kindness, and generosity, there are 47 million who need to be covered. It's one more thing that has to be considered in a budget that's already too big. That's why I'm not a politician."

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