Physicians from across the state held a press conference Wednesday asking lawmakers in Lancing to pass a series of bills that would help lower the prices of medications.
Their calls come at the same time lawmakers are gathering on Mackinac Island for an annual policy conference.
The trio of bills would create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and the Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council. The groups would work together to try and set upper payment limits, effectively capping the cost of medications.
Dr. Rob Davidson is an emergency physician from western Michigan and said prices need to be focused around the patient, not the corporations.
“Across Michigan, patients and their families are being forced to ration their care because drug companies and their CEOs keep jacking up prices for profits, while hard working folks get sicker and suffer," Davidson said. Big Pharma and their CEO's must be held accountable for making medications affordable and putting people's lives at risk.”
Dr. Aisha Harris, a family physician in Flint, said there is a lot of support from the public on this issue.
“Around 87% of Michiganders ages 50 to 64 are concerned about whether they can afford prescription drugs. That's why 75% of Michigan voters support a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to rein in outrageously high prices and hold big pharma accountable for raising prices without any transparency.”
The bills have passed the state Senate but have been stuck in the House Insurance and Financial Services since the fall.
