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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Law allows prescription buying pool

Kelly Kearsley Associated Press

OLYMPIA – More people could have access to discounted prescription drugs under a bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

“This takes an important step in cutting the cost of prescription drugs for Washingtonians,” Gregoire said.

The measure allows city and county governments, unions and businesses to join a bulk purchasing consortium to be created by the state Health Care Authority. People without insurance or who are underinsured for prescription drug coverage could also participate.

The consortium will be modeled after the state’s own bulk-purchasing pool, formed two years ago.

Under the state program, the state uses the findings of an independent pharmacy and therapeutics committee to create a list of preferred drugs. The state then negotiates with the drug manufacturers for discounted prices on those drugs.

Two dozen people attended the governor’s bill signing, including several members of Washington Citizen Action, a consumer advocacy group, and representatives from the state AARP.

Ed Singler, president of the state AARP, said that in surveys of the group’s members the cost of drugs routinely shows up as a top concern.

Bill Daley, Citizen Action’s legislative director, said the pool will increase the state’s purchasing power, which will lead to decreased drug costs.

The preferred drug list, which could include generic and less-expensive drugs, will also help people make wise choices about what drugs they use – also leading to lessened health care costs, he said.