A statewide referendum on the ballot this November could lower the cost of drugs in Ohio for Medicaid recipients, state retirees and the Bureau of Workers Compensation. Ideastream’s Marlene Harris-Taylor reports the AIDS Foundation announced its support of the proposal Wednesday.
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A yes vote on Issue two would require the state to obtain prescription drugs at the same rate paid by the U.S. Veterans Affairs department, which gets a 20 to 24 percent discount. Issue 2 supporters rolled into Cleveland on a campaign bus to pick up support from local public officials and the HIV task force.
The AIDS Health Foundation’s Regional Director Tracy Jones said AIDS is now treatable but the drugs to control it are costly. Issue 2 is needed to force drug companies to lower prices, she said.
“We know for a fact that medications that we use to treat Hepatitis B - the drug and the bottle that it comes in - is about a $1.25 but we charge a thousand dollars a pill. That’s what it was priced at," said Jones.
Opponents of the ballot issue are largely funded by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. They say the ballot issue is deceptive, short on specifics and won’t lower drug prices.
