Drugmakers are readying a war against a proposed drug cost-controlling measure on the California ballot in the 2016 election. The companies believe it will spur other state efforts.
Supporters of the proposed California Drug Price Relief Act (PDF) have reportedly already collected and submitted the more than 365,000 signatures needed to get the measure on the ballot for the state's election in 2016.
The measure, if passed, would require drugmakers to provide discounts to the state at the same rate as the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department, which is about 20%. The savings would benefit state agencies and programs such as prisons and Medicaid.
Drugmakers have mobilized, donating $23 million since Nov. 3 to fight the ballot measure, according to state records.
The fate of the California measure could have large implications for the rest of country. Advocates responsible for heading up the California effort are at work in Ohio, where signatures are being collected to get a similar proposed measure, the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act, on the 2016 ballot in that state.
It is unclear what kind of an impact either measure would have toward lowering drug costs. Some fear drug companies would simply shift costs onto non-government payers, such as private insurers, which could cause premiums to rise.
