Maryland lawmakers advance bill on prescription drug affordability board

The Maryland House of Delegates has voted overwhelmingly to allow a state board to extend its mandate for lowering prescription drug costs to all residents, not just those employed by government agencies.

As a result, the initiative now goes to the state Senate for approval, although the timing is unclear. Nonetheless, the 98-to-34 vote was cheered by consumer advocates who hope the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which is designed to function much like a state utility commission, will usher in era of lower medicine prices for everyone who lives in Maryland.

“It’s time to act to make drugs more affordable for all. Big drug corporations are making enormous profits and spending lavishly on advertising, even as many people struggle to pay for the prescriptions they need to live healthy lives. This bill will help fix that, and we urge the Senate to approve the bill and for Governor Moore to sign it,” said Vincent DeMarco of the Maryland Health Care for All coalition.