Washington State House Democrats

Affordable prescription drug bills pass House

February 20, 2005

OLYMPIA– The House today passed two measures requested by Gov. Christine Gregoire to make prescription drugs more affordable for citizens, businesses and taxpayers in Washington.

"People and businesses are desperate for relief from skyrocketing prices for medicine," said state Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle), who chairs the House Health Care Committee. "Prescription drugs are not luxuries, they are necessities that people need help to afford. The bills we passed today could make a big difference to the bills consumers pay."

One measure passed today, sponsored by Cody, would create a prescription drug purchasing consortium that allows citizens, businesses and local governments to join the state in negotiating cheaper bulk-rate drug prices from pharmaceutical companies. The state estimates the plan will help 81,000 senior citizens and 120,000 uninsured Washingtonians of working age buy more affordable medicines.

A second measure, sponsored by Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park), would enable Washington pharmacies to buy lower-cost medicines from Canadian wholesalers and pass the savings on to consumers. The federal government would have to approve the plan, which would license the Canadian wholesalers to ensure the drugs are safe.

Every Democrat present supported both plans. All but one Republican voted against both approaches to solving the crisis in soaring prescription-drug prices, which have growing five times faster than wages or overall inflation.

Democrats related stories of people who were forced to cut pills in half or skip meals to have enough money for their medicines.

"Every doctor cares for people who have to cut their pills in half or forgo food to pay for their prescriptions," said Schual-Berke, the only medical doctor serving in the House. "Washington D.C. needs to open the door so people without insurance can get decently priced pills."

"Any time you do something that can help 81,000 senior citizens pay for medicine is a good day at the office," added Rep. Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup). Morrell is a co-sponsor of both measures passed today.