He might not be the star of the show, but Pharmaceutical Care Management Association CEO Mark Merritt is hoping to make an impact at a congressional hearing Thursday about the rising costs of prescription drugs.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on rising drug prices in light of the recent controversy surrounding the decision by Turing Pharmaceuticals and former CEO Martin Shkreli to hike the price of a life-saving medication from $13.50 per pill to $750.

Shrekli was supposed to testify before the committee, but he instead invoked the 5th amendment and left the proceeding without answering questions. Afterward, he insulted committee members on Twitter: "Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government."

Associations that represent the pharmaceutical industry have been quick to distance their members from Shrekli. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization even booted the former CEO's company from its membership.

Merritt sidestepped the drama and instead presented a series of "market-based policy solutions" to increase competition and lower prescription drug costs. He said the pharmacy benefit managers his group represents help lower drug costs by negotiating rebates from drug manufacturers and discounts from drug stores, among other things.

"The pricing tactics discussed today are just one piece of a much larger puzzle," Merritt said. "The key to reducing costs is through competition. The challenge is we need more of it."

Merritt outlined several proposals his group believes would bring about that competition. They include:

• Accelerating FDA approvals of "me-too" brands against drugs that face no competition. Me-too drugs are drugs that are structurally similar to other medications, but with small differences.

• Accelerating FDA approvals of generics to compete with off-patent brands that face no competition.

• Creating a government "watch list" of all off-patent brands so potential acquirers are aware that policymakers can monitor these situations,

• Making copay coupons an illegal kickback for all insurance that receives any federal subsidy. http://bit.ly/1R699CV

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