Millions of Californians will soon enjoy lower drug prices Posted by Liz at 09/13/06 08:32 AM

Over 5 million Californians are expected to benefit from this program and will receive discounts of up to 60% on their medications.

This bill is modeled after Proposition 79, a drug discount initiative on last November's ballot in California. Prop 79 failed to pass, as did drug company backed, Prop 78--a discount plan with no enforcement. Drug companies spent over $80 million to defeat Prop 79, and set the record for the most expensive campaign in any state's history. In the remaining days of session, drug company lobbyists worked hard to defeat the bill, but were unsuccessful in the end.

Consumers Union activists worked with a coalition of CA senior, consumer and health groups to pass this bill. Hundreds sent emails, called their legislators and some even lobbied and handed out leaflets in Sacramento.

This is a huge victory for California residents. This bill may spread the idea of government negotiation of drug prices to other states and Congress. Inside Washington Publishers discusses this, "Consumer groups say the bill has implications that extend well beyond California’s borders, especially in an election year when the topic of price negotiation surrounding Medicare’s prescription drug benefit -- a practice prohibited explicitly under Part D -- has elicited a firestorm of partisan contention.

“Gov. Schwarzenegger has seen the light about using the government’s purchasing power to help the needy afford their medications, including the elderly whose drugs aren’t covered by Medicare,” Earl Lui, an attorney for Consumers Union, said in a statement. “It’s time for Congress to do the same and use its power to negotiate drug discounts for those in Medicare.”

We'll soon see if Congress and other states begin to follow California's lead, it is known to be a bellwether state...

comments (2)

1 Posted by R. Lastreto at 11/01/06 02:26 PM

How will these prices compare to Wal Mart's program which eventually will be offered in CA? Buying some drugs in bulk (90 day supply) thru Part D from accepted suppliers can be lower in cost-on a net basis-than Canadian suppliers.

2 Posted by Vera Cattle at 11/01/06 03:15 PM

I would like to see the same thing happen in Ohio. I am going to quote from this communication and send messages to our Governor,State Senators and State Representatives to see if they will take notice that not only California can have this bill but we want our State to negotiate also with these Drug Co's.
Price negotiation is the way to go, and we need to get the word out to Congress in Washington and in Ohio.