States Across the Country Act to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs While Virginia House Republicans Hold Up Progress 

RICHMOND, Va. — As Colorado releases its first list of drugs identified by their Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) for potential price ceilings, Freedom Virginia, a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive, today renewed the organization’s call for the General Assembly to pass this initiative in 2024.

The five drugs potentially receiving an upper payment limit in the state of Colorado are as follows:

• Genvoya, which treats HIV and costs about $4,000 per month
• Enbrel, which treats rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and costs more than $6,800 per month
• Cosentyx, which treats psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and costs more than $6,900 per month at typical doses
• Stelara, which treats Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune conditions and costs more than $12,000 a month
• Trikafta, which treats cystic fibrosis and costs more than $26,000 per month

In addition to the movement in Colorado, the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board approved their structure and regulations to consider drug prices last month as they prepare to take action next month to set upper payment limits for state and local governments. A just-released poll also found that 87% of Pennsylvanians support the creation of a state regulatory body to help keep drug prices within reach. Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, an entity with the power to limit what consumers pay for certain high-cost and burdensome prescription drugs and it was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz. Colorado, Maryland and Minnesota are among eight states that have established PDABs.

Despite the fact that a 2022 Mason-Dixon poll showed that 82% of Virginians – including wide bipartisan majorities – support the establishment of a PDAB, House Republicans chose to kill the bill without even taking it to a floor vote earlier this year.

Earlier this month, an AARP Virginia survey showed voters strongly support the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to rein in drug prices and are more likely to vote for candidates who endorse the policy.

“We commend Colorado and many other states for doing right by the hardworking people and fighting to lower the cost of prescription drugs,” said Rhena Hicks, executive director of Freedom Virginia. “There is a lot of momentum in Virginia for creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, with the bill passing the Senate this year with bipartisan support. We have an opportunity come January to finish the deal and send this commonsense bill to Gov. Youngkin. With one in four Virginians reporting skipping or rationing doses to save on costs, people need relief from high-cost prescription drugs. It’s time for House Republicans to get on the side of the people and finally establish a PDAB in Virginia.”