"The runaway costs of prescription drugs threaten our entire health care system. This burden is felt most acutely by our seniors and the uninsured," acknowledged Catania. "Opportunities exist to cut costs, but the District has failed to leverage its position as a major drug purchaser to capture savings. This legislation implements a variety of innovative tools to lower the cost of prescription drugs and expand access to them."

Catania and Allen's legislation establishes the Access Rx program within the Department of Health to provide a prescription drug benefit to low-income senior citizens who have a household income that is up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The program also allows uninsured residents with a household income not more than 350% of the federal poverty level to purchase their prescription and nonprescription drugs, medications, and medical supplies at a discounted price. Access Rx will be funded through a variety of cost containment measures including manufacturer rebates, pharmacy discounts and aggregate purchasing for other government pharmaceutical assistance programs.

Catania continued, "Once these costs are controlled and the District leverages its drug purchasing power, Access Rx will expand benefits to thousands of low-income seniors and the uninsured without costing the city an extra nickel."

Groups representing residents who are most effected by rising drug costs came out in strong support of the legislation, "AARP strongly supports Access Rx because it will go a long way toward helping the citizens of the District of Columbia get the prescription drugs they need," said AARP DC President Romaine Thomas. "AccessRx is a well-crafted response to the issues of affordability and accessibility to prescription drugs."

Access Rx offers critical assistance to low-income seniors and the uninsured in their purchases of prescription drugs. It is a real opportunity to provide relief from the skyrocketing prices currently paid for medications and will place the District at the forefront in making them affordable and accessible. Access Rx will also demand accountability from pharmacy benefit managers and the pharmaceutical industry by requiring transparent business practices and disclosure of marketing costs.

Sharon Baskerville, executive director of the District of Columbia Primary Care Association, asserted, "Patients deserve to know what pharmaceutical companies spend on marketing. With so many tax-payer dollars spent on health care, government should require full transparency from drug manufacturers. This bill goes a long way to assuring we have open information in return for our public health dollars."

The Council approved this measure unanimously by voice vote after defeating an amendment that would have limited public disclosure requirements. Councilmember Allen assured members that her committee will oversee the implementation of the new law and keep close track of any unintended effects. This pledge secured the support of the Council. For more information, contact the Office of Councilmember Catania at 202-724-7772.

[NOTE: Copies of Bill 15-569, the "Access Rx Act of 2004" can be obtained by contacting the Legislative Services office at 202.724.8050 or by visiting our Web site at http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/lims/BillRecord.asp?billid=checked.doc.