David Mitchell, Patients For Affordable Drugs Founder, Dies at 75

David Mitchell, who established Patients For Affordable Drugs, died on January 2, 2026, at the age of 75. His death marks the end of a period during which he played a notable role in advocacy related to prescription drug pricing.

Mitchell received a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, in 2010. He continued to live with the disease and underwent ongoing treatment for 15 years before his death.

In 2016, Mitchell founded Patients For Affordable Drugs to increase the influence of patient perspectives in discussions about prescription drug costs. The organization became involved in efforts to address drug pricing issues in the United States.

Before starting the advocacy group, Mitchell worked in public relations and was a founding partner at GMMB. His professional background contributed to his later activities in the nonprofit sector.

What the numbers show

• Mitchell was 75 years old at the time of his death in 2026
• He lived with multiple myeloma for 15 years after his 2010 diagnosis
• Patients For Affordable Drugs was founded in 2016
• The Inflation Reduction Act was passed in 2022

Mitchell retired from his leadership position at Patients For Affordable Drugs to focus on his health and family after years of continuous treatment. His retirement was announced prior to his death, reflecting his long-term management of his illness.

Under Mitchell's direction, Patients For Affordable Drugs was described as a bipartisan group that contributed to changes in U.S. drug pricing policy. The organization participated in advocacy that included involvement in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

Mitchell's career included both public relations and nonprofit advocacy. His work in both sectors was connected by a focus on public health and patient representation in policy discussions.

His death was reported by Patients For Affordable Drugs and acknowledged by GMMB, the firm where he had previously been a founding partner. Both organizations recognized his contributions to their respective fields.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.