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RICHMOND, Va. — In media outlets across the Commonwealth, legislators from Southwest Virginia, Central Virginia and Hampton Roads all recently expressed their support for SB 957, the legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
The board would comprise a small, independent group of health care experts to analyze the affordability of certain high-priced prescription drugs and institute reasonable limits to protect consumers from harmful price-gouging. These legislators join organizations like AARP Virginia and the Commonwealth Council on Aging in supporting PDAB legislation.
After passing the Senate by a bipartisan 26-13 vote, the bill awaits consideration by the House Commerce & Energy Special Subcommittee 5, scheduled to meet Thursday, February 16. This bill will be considered as part of Freedom Virginia’s ‘Affordability Score Card’, which prioritizes legislation that would make life more affordable for Virginians. Freedom Virginia will score delegates on their votes on SB 957 and four other bills
NBC29: Senator Deeds pushing for bill to limit prescription drug costs
February 13, 2023
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“While the prices of the Salu-Cortef medication aren’t as astronomically high as the Stelara is, there’s still a significant cost burden, I would say because there’s no alternative. I don’t have any other option other than this one particular drug. So for example, if the price of Salu-Cortef were to triple tomorrow, I’d have no other option and have to pay that because it keeps me alive,” [Mara Shapiro, Charlottesville Resident] said.
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“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Bringing down costs for Virginians ought to be something we all care about,” [Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville)] said.
[Op-Ed] Richmond Times Dispatch: How to fight rising prescription costs
By Senator Creigh Deeds
February 12, 2023
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Repeated price increases have been devastating for far too many Virginians, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes. Medicine only works if you can afford it, and frankly, this is a life-or-death issue for too many right now. Approximately 632,000 Virginians live with diabetes, and the cost of insulin has increased 600% in the past 20 years – about 10 times the rate of inflation.
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The [Prescription Drug Affordability] board would have the power to set maximum payment limits on the most expensive drugs, such as Humira and Stelara. It will take the burden off families dealing with a sick child, give some peace of mind to young students trying to scrape by and give more flexibility to seniors on fixed or limited income.
[Op-Ed] Cardinal News: A Prescription Drug Affordability Board would lower prescription costs
By Delegate Sam Rasoul
February 1, 2023
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Years of price-gouging by pharmaceutical companies has led 1 in 4 Virginians to go without their prescription medicine or resort to rationing pills or skipping doses. And that’s according to data from 2019, before we faced a public health crisis and rising inflation.
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It’s also something on which legislators should be able to come together. Drug affordability boards have been implemented in seven states under both Republican and Democratic governors, including neighboring Maryland and states like New Hampshire where the Republican governor celebrated the idea.
[Op-Ed] The Virginian-Pilot: Virginia must reduce drug costs, close health care gaps
By Delegate Shelly Simonds
February 11, 2023
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An economic study of Virginia’s health sector determined that Virginians pay well above the national average for their medicines — around 36% more than most Americans.
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Costs are out of control, and as a result millions of Virginians are struggling to keep up with their doctor’s orders, often forced to choose between filling a prescription or going without it. In 2019, 1 out of 4 Virginians reported skipping doses, cutting pills, or not being able to get their medicine at all due to cost. That’s unacceptable.
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