Drug cost bill moving along

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Friday, March 1, 2002

OLYMPIA -- A bill aimed at controlling the state's rapidly rising drug costs continues to make its way through the Legislature.

Senate Bill 6368 passed out of a House committee Thursday. The bill would allow the state to create a "preferred drug list" for Medicaid patients.

From drugs considered essentially equal by a scientific panel, the state would select the cheapest. The state would then use the power of the list to negotiate lower prices with manufacturers.

Doctors, pharmacists, and most patients' groups support the bill. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries oppose it.

Four Republicans on the House Health Care Committee voted against the bill; six Democrats and one Republican voted for it.

On the Web:

Summary Page for Senate Bill 6368

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