PRINTER'S NO. 1787
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
346
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, DRISCOLL, FREEMAN, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG,
RABB, CAUSER, McNEILL, V. BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD,
KINSEY, O'BRIEN, DeLUCA, DAWKINS, MOUL, FRANKEL AND KORTZ,
MAY 22, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 22, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on prescription drug pricing and issue a report.
WHEREAS, Residents of this Commonwealth have experienced
increasingly costly out-of-pocket expenses for prescription
drugs; and
WHEREAS, Rising costs for prescription drugs too frequently
result in a patient's inability to pay for prescriptions and
subsequently not filling their prescription, cutting pills in
half or skipping doses; and
WHEREAS, Despite the needed financial assistance offered by
drug manufacturers to help patients pay for prescription drugs,
many patients cannot afford the mounting costs of prescriptions;
and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth must examine ways to create
fairness and address high costs for patients; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on prescription
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drug pricing and issue a report to the General Assembly; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission seek
input and information as appropriate from the following:
(1) The Insurance Department.
(2) The Department of Aging.
(3) The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(4) The Department of Health.
(5) The Department of Human Services.
(6) Other persons that are knowledgeable of the issues
surrounding consumer protection, health care, health care
costs and health insurance, including individuals who
represent pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, patient
advocacy groups, pharmaceutical manufacturers, health
insurers or licensed health care providers;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the report of the Joint State Government
Commission contain findings and recommendations and include any
proposed legislation regarding the following:
(1) How prices are determined for prescription drugs.
(2) The process and amount of money used for the
development and marketing of prescription drugs.
(3) Business factors that have an impact on the cost of
prescription drugs.
(4) Efforts to make prescription drugs more affordable.
(5) Factors contributing to high out-of-pocket
prescription drug costs to patients.
(6) Patient treatment adherence and access to
prescription drugs.
(7) Expensive medical interventions or hospitalizations
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that may occur as a result of a patient's inability to afford
and maintain access to prescription drugs.
(8) Manufacturer costs for research and development,
clinical trials, regulatory costs, cost of materials,
manufacturing and administration.
(9) Manufacturer annual prices for prescription drugs to
purchasers inside and outside of the United States.
(10) Profit margins and projected profit margins of drug
manufacturers.
(11) Financial assistance offered by drug manufacturers.
(12) Further oversight, transparency and clarity
concerning the determination of prescription drug pricing.
(13) Negotiation of prescription drug costs between
manufacturers and the Pennsylvania medical assistance
program;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings and recommendations to the General
Assembly within one year of the adoption of this resolution.
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