Michigan proposal jeopardizes access to medicines

Michigan politicians are considering creating a “board” of people – picked by state politicians – that would institute government price-setting for medications in ways that will likely have long-term, harmful effects on access and the development of new, life-saving therapies. While these legislators may be well-intentioned, this disruptive approach completely misses the mark. 

Here’s what you need to know:

• Referred to as a “prescription drug affordability board,” what this proposal really does is put the government between patients and their doctors.
• The legislation would create a board that is subject to the whims of politics and special interests, not the best interests of patients.
• The proposal also fails to address the root problems facing patients – the health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit middlemen that make it harder for people to get the medicines they need. 

Patients need better access and affordability when it comes to their medicines, not an unelected board of government bureaucrats making decisions about their medicine’s value.

What can be done

Michigan deserves an honest discussion about affordable medicines. 

Legislators looking for ways to help their constituents can start by making concrete changes that lower what people pay for medicines at the pharmacy counter without creating more barriers and threatening access to care. That means: 

1. Making sure no patient is paying more for their medicines than their health insurance company or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).
2. Protecting cost-sharing assistance for people who need help accessing and affording their medicines.
3. Holding middlemen accountable for business practices that line their pockets at the expense of the patients they are supposed to serve. 

To learn more visit phrma.org/states.