Efforts are underway on both sides of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board debate to put pressure on Gov. Glenn Youngkin to either sign or veto the legislation to establish it. The governor vetoed this bill last year after it advanced out of the General Assembly.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, passed again this year.
The board would be an independent body of health and medical experts who would have the ability to set upper payment limits on particular prescription drugs if they believe pharmaceutical companies are charging too much.
Freedom Virginia, the group that has been pushing for this legislation to be enacted, launched a new interactive tool on its website Wednesday to display data on pharmaceutical companies’ lobbying spending between 2023 and 2024.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported in January that pharmaceutical companies spent $450,000 in lobbying efforts in 2024, doubling what they spent in 2023.
“It’s clear to see that pharmaceutical companies prioritize their profits over patients. Now more than ever, the governor needs to take action to lower the cost of prescription drugs,” said Rhena Hicks, the co-executive director of Freedom Virginia. “As costs continue to skyrocket across the economy, pharmaceutical companies are sparing no expense to keep medicine expensive.”
The other side of the argument comes from Virginia Bio, a non-profit trade association with the stated mission of preserving Virginia’s life sciences industry.
The CEO of Virginia Bio, John Newby, recently sent a letter to Youngkin urging him to veto the bill.
“This year’s attempt to enact a PDAB, House Bill 1724, would, again, stifle necessary investments in continued research and development, threatening the ability of Virginia biotechnology companies to bring new medicines to market, decimating capital investment in Virginia pharmaceutical companies and reducing patient access to healthcare,” Newby wrote.
Youngkin’s office has not indicated publicly whether or not he will sign this bill. In his veto statement last year, he expressed concerns over unintended consequences.
“While it is imperative to lower drug prices, it must not compromise patient welfare,” he wrote. “The proposed authority granted to the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) would allow medication availability to be determined based solely on cost considerations rather than accounting for the expert opinions of healthcare professionals and the unique medical needs of individual patients. This approach could limit access to treatments and hinder medical innovation, especially for life-threatening or rare diseases.”
Newby wrote in his letter to Youngkin that nothing has changed since his veto last year.
“The ultimate reason for your veto last year of similar legislation also remains: PDABs remain an unproven tool for bringing meaningful change for patients at the pharmacy counter.”
11 states have established a PDAB.
Del. Ellen Campbell, R-Rockville, participated in a press conference in January to help roll out the legislation.
“When you’re facing critical illnesses, you should not have to make those tough decisions,” Campbell said at the time. “I think it’s time for us to try something new, and I’ve been really happy to support this legislation.”
She was the only Republican in the House to vote in support of the bill, where it eventually passed 52-47.
The legislation received more support from Republicans in the Senate, where it passed 26-14.
However, those numbers are not enough to override a potential veto from Youngkin.
Youngkin has until March 24 to take action on legislation passed by the General Assembly.
“With broken promises of lower costs at the federal level, we need state leaders to support measures like a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and fight for a fair and affordable economy for Virginians,” Hicks said Wednesday.