Ohio Coalition Opposes Drug Price Ballot Issue
A coalition in Ohio has formed to oppose the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act, a statute that would require the state government pay no more than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for prescription drugs. The Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue made up of several health care groups including the Ohio Pharmacists Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
The manager of the coalition’s campaign Curt Steiner cites fears of rising drug costs as the chief reason for opposition. “[E]xperts who have studied the proposal — including three former Ohio Medicaid directors and a former state budget director — say it’s not only unworkable, but could actually increase prescription drug costs for the majority of Ohioans and reduce patient access to needed medications.”
California faced a similar bill last year, which was defeated 53% – 47%.