ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Maryland Health Care for All to host the first state-wide community forum on Prescription Drug Affordability. The forum focused on educating the public about the Board, gathering input from consumers around the state, and elevating patient stories. Pictures from the event can be found here.
In Howard County, we've advocated for years to help bring down the costs of prescription drugs and make healthcare more affordable. We welcome all to join us as we continue to discuss the impacts of high prescription drug costs on our residents and their families.
The Maryland General Assembly established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2019, the first such board of its kind in the nation. The Board has the authority to examine the high cost of prescription drugs and ascertain how to make these costs more affordable for Marylanders, beginning with procedures to make high-cost drugs more affordable for state and local governments. By 2023, the board will be required to make recommendations to the Maryland General Assembly on how to make high-cost drugs more affordable for all Marylanders. Many states across the country are working to replicate Maryland's landmark new law.
“The Prescription Drug Affordability Board has been working hard, and we’re excited to meet with the public at these forums to update the community. We also look forward to hearing more from Marylanders about the challenges they face paying for prescription drugs,” said Board Chair Van Mitchell. “That input from residents will help us understand the issue more deeply as we work to develop new approaches to make these lifesaving drugs more affordable.”
“The Board has been doing a great job researching the drug-cost issue in Maryland, and we’re pleased to partner with the Board on these forums to give the community an update and a chance to share their stories,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition. “The information gathered at these forums will help the Board formulate smart strategies to bring down drug costs, something that is urgently needed.”
"This is a key time for the Board as it begins implementing programs to reduce drug costs. The specific details from the public in these forum sessions will be extremely valuable in this." Said Jim Gutman, a member of Executive Council of AARP Maryland and a member of the PDAB Stakeholder Council representing the public.
Upcoming forums will be held across the state on the following schedule:
- September 19th: Charles County Forum – 11:00 a.m. featuring Charles County Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II, Esq and County Health Officer Dr. Dianna Abney at the Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center, 90 Post Office Road, Waldorf
- September 21st: Anne Arundel County Forum – 1:00 p.m. featuring Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman at the Annapolis, Senior Activity Center, 119 South Villa Avenue, Annapolis
- September 28th: Frederick County Forum – 10:30 a.m. featuring Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner at the Frederick County Senior Center, 1440 Taney Avenue, Frederick
- October 4th: Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties Forum – 10:00 a.m. featuring Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich at Riderwood Senior Living, Lakeside Commons, Encore Theater, 3150 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring
- October 7th: Baltimore City Forum – 12:00 p.m. featuring Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott at the Waxter Senior Center, 1000 Cathedral Street, Baltimore City