Back To ArticlesThe costs of prescription drugs are out of control, and everyday Pennsylvanians are paying the price. A new study shows that 1 in 5 Pennsylvania adults has cut pills in half, left medications at the pharmacy counter, or avoided filling a prescription, all due to cost. Prescription drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them, and Pennsylvania should not have to choose between managing their health and meeting their basic needs.
Across party lines, 9 out of 10 Pennsylvanians want solutions to the drug pricing crisis, yet the Pennsylvania General Assembly has not as of yet taken action.
This April, new legislation has been introduced in the PA Senate aimed at lowering costs for everyone. Here’s what you need to know:
What is SB 579?
On April 20th, 2021, Senator Dan Laughlin introduced Senate Bill 579, the Pharmaceutical Transparency Act. The proposed new legislation would put into place a well-tested solution to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
What does SB 579 do?
This legislation creates an independent authority called the Pharmaceutical Transparency Review Board. The board is composed of experts in health economics or clinical medicine appointed through a bipartisan process with strong safeguards against conflicts of interest. After investigating the price of specific medications and examining the impact of the price on people who rely on the medication, the board can make recommendations to the General Assembly on how to take action and lower what Pennsylvanians pay for their medications at the pharmacy.
How to Take Action on SB 579
PHAN strongly supports SB 579, and encourages the General Assembly to take action and quickly pass SB 579. Please contact your legislator and ask them to vote YES on SB 579.