Lawmakers consider program aimed at lowering prescription drug prices

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Many across the U.S. consider prescribed drugs are too excessive. The identical is true in North Dakota. And that’s why lawmakers are contemplating a invoice which if handed, might scale back excessive costs on the pharmacy.

Excessive drug costs are a actuality in North Dakota, which has some North Dakotans hoping for a change.

“In a single month, we collected 320 on-line signatures of these impacted by the excessive value of prescribed drugs, and as a visible, I need you to see, we’ve received ‘em right here,” mentioned Kathi Schwan, volunteer state president for AARP North Dakota.

The invoice, launched by Legislative Administration, would direct the insurance coverage commissioner to implement a pilot program that will convey prescription drug prices in alignment with Canadian costs.

“It doesn’t set producer costs or inform the producer what costs they resolve. It does set a price above which payers aren’t allowed to pay,” mentioned Drew Gattine with NASHP.

However there are massive considerations surrounding the invoice, particularly that pharmaceutical corporations would simply cease offering sure medicines to individuals in North Dakota.

“We’re very involved that our pharmacy community goes to go away. If the pharmacists are topic to prison penalties for paying extra for the set value, I don’t understand how they’re going to get these medicine,” mentioned Scott Miller, government director for the North Dakota Public Staff Retirement System, or NDPERS.

A kind of who’s resistant? The insurance coverage commissioner.

“We actually perceive the intent of the invoice, undecided that is the suitable technique to do it. And, that is arduous for me to do, we query our personal experience on this area,” mentioned Insurance coverage Commissioner Jon Godfread.

As for why he would possibly query the division’s experience on the matter of prescribed drugs?

“We’re insurance coverage regulators, we love math, we love trying into insurance coverage corporations. However after we begin tipping over into, what I might take into account, the supplier’s area, which that is very a lot akin to, we lack that experience,” mentioned Godfread.

Nonetheless, these in favor consider this invoice will assist North Dakotans.

“Staying wholesome, and in some circumstances, staying alive, shouldn’t bankrupt the nice individuals of this state,” mentioned Schwan.

The committee didn’t take motion on the invoice on Monday.

Insurance coverage Commissioner Jon Godfread estimates this invoice would value north of $3 million to implement. Drew Gattine from the Nationwide Academy for State Well being Coverage says the identical prescribed drugs offered right here sometimes value 65% to 80% much less in Canada than they do within the U.S.

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