Provisions of Prescription Drug Measures Examined
The North County Times on Wednesday examined provisions of Propositions 78 and 79, measures on the Nov. 8 special election ballot that would create prescription drug discount programs (Finn Bennett, North County Times, 9/7).
Proposition 78, which is supported by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, would establish a voluntary prescription drug discount program for state residents whose annual incomes do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level (California Healthline, 8/16).
Under Proposition 78, the discount program would require a $15 annual application fee from participants (North County Times, 9/7).
Proposition 79, which is supported by Health Access California and a coalition of labor groups, would establish a prescription drug discount program for state residents whose annual incomes do not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level. Under Proposition 79, people could sue a pharmaceutical company if they believe it is participating in illegal pricing practices (California Healthline, 8/16).
In addition, the program would let the state penalize drug companies that do not offer sufficient discounts by removing their drugs from the Medi-Cal formulary, a list of medications that allows doctors to prescribe them to Medi-Cal beneficiaries without prior approval. Under Proposition 79, the discount program would require a $10 annual application fee (North County Times, 9/7).
Additional information on Proposition 78 is available online.
Additional information on Proposition 79 is available online.