Oregon lawmakers have the chance to bring down the cost of prescription drugs

Oregon has a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) which reviews certain high-cost prescriptions and makes recommendations on how to lower prescription drug costs. In December, the board completed its first annual report, calling for more transparency and empowerment for the PDAB.

Senator Deb Patterson has introduced SB 404, a bill that would implement some of these recommendations. The bill would require more transparency from entities throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain where higher prices are often negotiated. It would also get the board closer to setting lower costs for unaffordable prescriptions. “These are the next steps to bringing the cost of prescriptions, and the cost of health care, under control in our state,” said OSPIRG health care advocate Maribeth Guarino at the February 22 hearing.

SB 404 passed out of the Senate Health Care Committee on March 22. It is expected to go to a vote in front of the full Senate soon. Call your legislator today to ask them to support lower prescription drug costs and vote YES on SB 404.

Find your senator’s phone number here.

You can see the full hearing on the state legislative website here. You can also download OSPIRG’s full comments on the bill here.