{"id":128927,"date":"2020-03-04T08:12:16","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T13:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=128927"},"modified":"2020-03-04T08:12:22","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T13:12:22","slug":"yost-joins-coalition-on-prescription-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2020\/03\/04\/yost-joins-coalition-on-prescription-prices\/","title":{"rendered":"Yost joins coalition on prescription prices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has joined a bipartisan coalition of 46 attorneys general supporting states\u2019 rights to regulate and address the rising cost of prescription drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dave Yost<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery state regulates its insurance markets — no one would say federal law pre-empts that action. How can a key player in these markets get a pass?\u201d Yost said. \u201cOhio will not give up its duty and right to protect its citizens to some federal bureaucrat in Washington, D.C.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, the attorneys general support Arkansas\u2019 position in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management<\/em> that regulation of the prescription drug market, including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), is a critical tool for states to protect residents and address the access and affordability of prescription drugs. They contend that state laws regulating pharmacy benefit managers are not restricted by federal law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regulation is critical to the states\u2019 ability to improve the transparency of prescription drug marketplaces and to protect consumers\u2019 access to affordable prescription drugs, especially those in under-served, rural and isolated communities. The attorneys general point out that the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers promotes healthcare access and affordability for residents \u2013 taking away a state\u2019s ability to regulate would create confusion and uncertainty in the market and harm patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yost also outlined a four-step plan this past year to contain the amount that Ohio taxpayers are billed for prescription drugs purchased for state employees, calling for legislative action. He recommended \u201ca solution based on market principles, not the creation of another government bureaucracy,\u201d identifying four objectives that should be met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n