By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
House Democrats unveiled legislation geared at lowering the cost of prescription drugs on July 24, citing the proposal as part of an ongoing battle on behalf of consumers. The package proposes allowing Michigan residents to enroll in I-Save Rx, a prescription drug program run by the state of Illinois. I-Save Rx allows the state to contract with a Canadian clearinghouse that connects consumers with Canadian and European pharmacies and wholesalers approved by Illinois health inspectors. States already using the program, which began in October 2004, include Wisconsin, Vermont, Missouri, and Kansas.
According to Representative Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, the cost of prescription drugs has gone up 2.5 times the rate of inflation.
"We're hoping this will foster competition in the drug industry," said McDowell. "Pharmaceutical companies spent approximately $1 billion on lobbying and campaigning for their products last year, while fixed and moderate income families struggle to meet their most basic prescription needs."
While House Democrats are in favor of the proposal House Republicans, who currently control the House, aren't convinced the benefits of the program outweigh the risks. House Leader Craig DeRoche, R-Oakland, released a statement in response to the proposal citing regulation and safety as the reasons Republican opposition.
Democrats will continue to push for the passage of this legislation into the fall. If successful, residents would be able to utilize the program as early as next year.
I-Save Rx would not cost the state as the cost of administering the program is paid for by charging a nominal fee to consumers. For safety reasons the program is limited to prescription refills on brand-name drugs that treat chronic and long-term conditions. I-Save Rx would save consumers 25 to 50 percent on prescription drugs.
