Becerra tells Warren he will do ‘thorough review’ of executive actions on drug prices 

Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Xavier Becerra told Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) that if confirmed he would conduct a “thorough review” of potential administration actions to lower drug prices, in response to a question about using a major executive power on the issue.

Warren asked Becerra in a written question known as a “question for the record” about taking a drastic action, which does not require Congress, to break the patent on a drug and allow other companies to make it at a lower price.

“If I am fortunate to be confirmed, we will conduct a thorough review to identify and analyze the tools at our disposal to reduce the price of drugs and make treatments more affordable for the American people,” Becerra wrote in response, according to a document compiling the questions for the record obtained by The Hill.

Why it matters: The answer is noncommittal, but it notably does not rule out using the authority. Republicans and the pharmaceutical industry are closely watching Becerra’s answers on the topic, given that he has previously supported using the power.