Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable

by
Governor Bob Wise

The rising cost of brand-name prescription drugs is a growing problem across our country.

We have made great strides in West Virginia to make prescription drugs more affordable for our citizens. We created a Preferred Drug List at Medicaid, we led the efforts to form a multi-state drug purchasing pool, we promoted the use of generics and we expanded the Golden Mountaineer Discount Card for seniors.

This year, thanks to the efforts of your legislators, we have a bill that allows for the adoption of a federal discount prescription drug price list for state programs and residents. The bill creates a Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council to establish a pricing schedule by using the federal supply schedule, Canadian drug prices or other appropriate standards.

This is the single most important piece of legislation dealing with the high cost of brand-name prescription drugs that has passed this Legislature and most other state legislatures. This council, which met last week, will provide us with the flexibility to help alleviate some of the high costs of prescription drugs and allow us to negotiate not only for the state of West Virginia, but for the entire population. The members will be performing studies and making reports to the Legislature. It is my goal and intent that the council report to the Legislature on time with specific recommendations.

The pharmacy window is now open for negotiations, and I'm urging all brand-name prescription drug manufacturers to contact us. West Virginia can be a model for the country when it comes to fighting for lower prescription drug costs.

It's vital to give all West Virginians a break on the high cost of prescription drugs. Working together, we can make prescription drugs affordable for all West Virginians.