In a notable development, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill that will allow a state board to extend its mandate for lowering prescription drug costs to all residents, not just those employed by government agencies.
The move was hailed by consumer advocates who hope the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which is designed to function much like a state utility commission, will usher in era of lower medicine prices for everyone who lives in Maryland. But the new law was criticized by the pharmaceutical industry for pursuing an “unproven” strategy toward lowering expenses.
“With this legislation, Maryland takes a critical step in our campaign to make drugs more affordable for Marylanders,” said Vincent DeMarco, who heads the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition. “… Too many people struggle to pay for the medications they need to lead healthy lives.”
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