David E.
Mitchell, an American medical activist and founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, died on January 2, 2026. Mitchell, also known as David Emerson Mitchell, was an American business executive and drug price advocate who became active in drug pricing after a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Born on May 4, 1950, in Detroit, Illinois, he worked for the United Auto Workers union and later became a founding partner of the Washington-based public relations firm GMMB in 1986. He retired in 2016 and then devoted his final years to drug price advocacy.
David Emerson Mitchell (May 4, 1950 – January 2, 2026) was an American business executive and drug price advocate. After a terminal cancer diagnosis, he founded Patients for Affordable Drugs Now.