Video: Freedom Virginia Launches Second Digital Ad Holding Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R) Accountable for Voting Against Lower Prescription Drug Prices

RICHMOND, Va. — Freedom Virginia, a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive, today released the second ad in their education campaign about Senator Siobhan Dunnavant’s decision to vote against lowering the cost of prescription drugs. The ad is part of a five-figure digital buy in Henrico County.

Senator Dunnavant voted against legislation (SB 957) that would have created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to lower the prices of high-cost medicines. The Senate passed the bill by a strong bipartisan vote of 26-13 in which five Republicans joined Democrats in their support – but Dunnavant voted no. Eighty-two percent of Virginians support the concept of such a Board. The ad features Kay, a Henrico resident who travels three hours to access samples of her medication because she cannot afford the full prescription.

“Virginians are struggling to afford their life-saving medicine, and Senator Dunnavant’s constituents deserve to know that she does not stand by their side in the fight for lower drug costs,” said Rhena Hicks, executive director of Freedom Virginia. “Senator Dunnavant offered no alternative plan in the face of what is undeniably a medicine affordability crisis. Henrico residents deserve better.”

In 2022 alone, drug companies have hiked the price of more than 1,200 drugs by an average of 31.6% – about four times the rate of inflation.  In 2020, Virginians spent 36% more per person on prescription drugs than the national average: $1,500 in Virginia compared to $1,100 nationally. From 2015 to 2020, Virginians’ average spending on prescription drugs rose from $1,400 to $1,500 – a 6.6% increase, more than twice the national increase. Last year, Virginians paid a combined $3.2 billion on prescription drugs in the commercial market. Virginia would join seven other states with both Republican and Democratic governors in passing a PDAB.

The transcript for the 30-second ad is below and the ad is linked HERE. A shorter variation of the ad will run as well.

FREEDOM VIRGINIA — “Kay” 

Kay: I suffer from two chronic skin illnesses, and insurance will not cover the costs of my medication.

Kay: In order to get my medication, I have to take off work and drive 3 hours in order to get a sample.

VO: With drug prices skyrocketing, Senator Siobhan Dunnavant voted NO on a bipartisan bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs in Virginia.

Kay: With the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, I would be able to access my medication. 

VO: Senator Dunnavant, It’s time to side with Virginians, not big Pharma.