PRINTER'S NO. 719
No. 114 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY WALKO, MANDERINO, THOMAS, FABRIZIO, BELARDI,
BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, CURRY, FREEMAN, GERGELY, GINGRICH,
GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHAI, JAMES, JOSEPHS, MUNDY, NAILOR,
PALLONE, PETRARCA, PRESTON, READSHAW, SHANER, STABACK,
STURLA, SURRA, TANGRETTI, WHEATLEY, YOUNGBLOOD AND PISTELLA,
MARCH 1, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
MARCH 1, 2005
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Health Care Cost Containment Council to conduct a
2 study on the impact of prescription drug advertising and
3 promotion on drug prices in Pennsylvania.
4 WHEREAS, A report by Families USA shows that the prices of
5 the 50 prescription drugs most used by the elderly rose nearly
6 three and one-half times the rate of inflation in 2002; and
7 WHEREAS, The report noted that the drug industry's success in
8 the marketing and promotion of its products, especially newer
9 higher-priced drugs, has contributed to the skyrocketing
10 increase in prices; and
11 WHEREAS, Drug companies have poured huge sums of money into
12 promotions aimed directly at physicians and drug benefit
13 management companies, including lunches for staff persons of
14 physicians and honorariums for conference speaking engagements;
15 therefore be it
16 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
1 direct the Health Care Cost Containment Council to conduct a
2 study on the impact of prescription drug advertising and
3 promotion on drug prices in Pennsylvania, including the impact
4 on State prescription drug programs such as the Pharmaceutical
5 Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and the
6 Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs
7 Enhancement Tier (PACENET); and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the Health Care Cost Containment Council
9 report its findings to the General Assembly by December 31,
10 2005.
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