For Immediate Release
July 25, 2018
Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, issued the following statement about the ruling by the U.S. 4 th Circuit Court of Appeals denying the Attorney General’s request for a rehearing to uphold Maryland’s landmark 2017 prescription drug anti-price-gouging law:
“The ruling by the 4 th Circuit Court of Appeals is disappointing, but it only reinforces that we must act to make lifesaving drugs more affordable for Marylanders. Many people across the state simply cannot afford the drugs they need, so it’s a matter of life and death. Drugs’t help people if they can’t afford them.
“The General Assembly should pass legislation next year to establish a Drug Cost Commission to ensure that Maryland prescription drug prices are fair and affordable. It is time to stop price gouging by some drug corporations which hurts Marylanders.
“The public strongly supports this idea. A poll late last year by OpinionWorks showed that 85 percent of Marylanders favor creating a commission that will watch out for the public by setting fair and affordable drug costs in the state.
“The people want this to happen and we urge Governor Hogan to stand with the people and not the drug corporations – and support this commonsense solution as well.
“We applaud Attorney General Brian Frosh for his work to defend this law, and we will support the Attorney General’s office continuing efforts to do so.”
Last modified: July 26, 2018
