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Issues
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Policies to rein in harmful drug industry marketing and advertising practices that increase costs and are linked to improper prescribing, off-label marketing and invasion of privacy. Strategies that increase bargaining power and leverage lower prices not only for Medicaid but also for discount plans available to citizens without prescription drug coverage. Promotion of generic instead of brand-name patented drugs to dramatically costs, and the state role regulating the use of patents by drug manufacturers and educational institutions. Opening up trade with Canada and other countries to import medications at substantially lower prices through official websites, directly licensing pharmacies and pressuring Congress and federal agencies to allow importation. Federal trade policy and treaties may limit state prescription drug purchasing practices and increase costs. State legislators are providing ongoing oversight of trade policy related to medicines, and are directly engaging with the U.S. Trade Representative through the Working Group on Prescription Drugs and Trade. Strategies to keep Medicaid pharmaceutical costs down without cutting benefits or compromising patient health; preventing vendor and drug industry fraud; and issues related to Medicare Part D including wrap-around benefits, copays and premiums, dual eligibles and others with special needs, “clawback” payments, and drug utilization information. Regulating the middlemen that negotiate rebates and manage drug through transparency, anti-kickback, conflict of interest and other ethical standards. Strategies to effectively cut state pharmacy program costs without negatively affecting patient health through preferred drug lists. Information on drug pricing and costs, and price disclosure and regulation policies aimed at informing consumers and preventing unconscionable pricing of medicines. Initiatives to disseminate evidence-based prescription drug information, including requiring the public disclosure and Internet posting of clinical trials data, creating publicly accessible databases and analyses of safety and efficacy studies, and independent “academic detailing” programs to counter pharmaceutical marketing. State programs under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act to access lower-than-Medicaid drug prices, expand pharmacy services in underserved rural areas and urban neighborhoods. Untold billions are spent annually by the pharmaceutical industry to make its case for unfettered actions on every front – pricing, marketing, safety, trade policy, and more. We shine a spotlight on industry activities such as funding patient advocacy and fake grassroots groups, medical associations, and politicians; its sophisticated marketing campaigns including data mining; and criminal and civil fraud cases brought by states, the federal government and industry whistleblowers. |
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