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ICYMI: Michigan Dems Work to Cap Drug Prices While Trump Lets Big Pharma Run Wild

Government and Politics

January 27, 2025


Despite Trump serving Michiganders to Big Pharma on a silver platter, Michigan Dems are fighting back with renewed push for affordability board 

LANSING — In case you missed it, Michigan Democrats in the state Senate are introducing a bill package to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to cap the rising prices of prescription drugs. At the same time that Trump is destroying Democratic guardrails on the cost of prescription drugs, Michigan Dems are fighting to ensure that no one has to choose between their medication and putting food on the table.

With the looming threat of tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and Trump reversing Democratic policies to lower drug costs – Michiganders are already facing too many rising costs, they should not have to worry about rationing or affording their medications. PDAB would be game-changing for the millions of Michiganders who are struggling to keep up with inflation. This board would place cost caps on the prescription drugs they review with input from professionals in health care economics, health policy, health equity, and clinical medicine to ensure a fair price for all.

Make no mistake, only one party is fighting to keep Michiganders’ drug costs low.

Read more about how Michigan Dems’ are lowering costs below: 

The Gander: Michigan Dems renew push to cap rising drug prices with new oversight board

  • Millions of Michiganders who are struggling to afford their prescription medications may soon find some relief through recently introduced state legislation that’s aimed at capping the prices of some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the state of Michigan.

  • Democratic lawmakers in the state Senate this month filed three bills that aim to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB)—an independent entity that would have the legal authority to set new maximum price limits on whatever prescription drugs it decides to review…

  • “This is one tool to hold them accountable,” Camilleri told The ‘Gander. “The point is that we need to do something, and this is one idea. Let’s start a conversation about other ideas to hold Big Pharma accountable and really rein in these exorbitant profits and high costs of medicine…”

  • And within 18 months of the legislation being signed into law, the board would specifically be tasked with identifying and setting a set price cap on at least one generic drug that costs Michiganders at least $100 for a 30-day supply. 

  • And anytime Big Pharma wants to hike prices on one of its drugs in Michigan, the board would need to sign off on the increase—much like the state Public Service Commission has the authority to approve or reject rate increases from the state’s utility companies, Camilleri said…

  • “Pharmaceutical companies set these prices. They know that insulin costs pennies to make, but they still charge hundreds of thousands of percentiles more than what it should be,” Camilleri said. “That’s something that impacts everyday Michiganders. And that’s a big problem…”

  • “People are literally making choices about their budgets based on whether or not they can afford medicine,” Camilleri said. “They’re either forgoing food or forgoing utility bills to pay for medicine, or they’re halving the dosage of their medicine to afford their household bills. That’s an unsustainable system that directly impacts too many of our neighbors across the state…”

  • “Regardless of your political ideology, taking on Big Pharma should not be a partisan issue,” Camilleri added. “Everybody, whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, is facing high prices.”