PhRMA To ‘Pick Up’ Efforts To Create Drug Discount Program
The Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America in 2006 will "pick up" efforts to create a prescription drug discount program in California similar to the one Proposition 78 would have created, the Orange County Register reports (Quach, Orange County Register, 11/27).
Proposition 78 would have established a voluntary prescription drug discount plan for state residents whose annual incomes do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level. PhRMA sponsored the measure, which 58.5% of voters in the November 2005 special election opposed (California Healthline, 11/9).
After the defeat of Propositions 78 and 79 -- a competing measure on the special election ballot -- PhRMA President Billy Tauzin said, "Now, we're back to where we wanted to be a year ago."
Earlier in 2005, PhRMA had supported legislation to create a drug discount program, but the Legislature did not approve the bill (Orange County Register, 11/27).
Additional information on Propositions 78 and 79 is available online.