WBAL Radio
March 16, 2026
Excerpt:
“Drug companies in Maryland can deduct the cost of commercials for prescription drug medications as a business expense, but legislation might change that.
Instead, the money would go toward lower health care costs.
Health care advocates said the added revenue would be better spent bringing costs down, but Big Pharma is pushing back. They said singling out their industry is not only unfair, but also a violation of free speech.
Nearly three-quarters of people polled by Opinion Works said they support legislation to eliminate the tax break.
The money would be reinvested into Medicaid and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. The goal is to help stabilize and lower costs.
“So that we could use the $24 million that we received every year to make sure Marylanders have the health care they need,” said Vinny DeMarco, president of Health Care for All.”
Read the full piece at the WBAL.com.
Last modified: March 19, 2026
