BOSTON, MA –
March 3, 2008 – The Massachusetts
Prescription Reform
Coalition applauds Senate President Murray
for including provisions aimed at reining in excessive prescription drug prices
in the cost control legislation that she introduced today. The legislation
includes a ban on gifts from pharmaceutical companies to prescribers and
proposes an evidence-based physician education program (often referred to as “academic
detailing”).
Between 2000 and 2006, prices of the most
commonly prescribed brand name drugs grew by over 50 percent, more than double
the inflation rate. This increase has been driven by excessive and, until now,
unchecked marketing practices, including the industry’s practice of giving of
gifts and other financial incentives to physicians. Prescription drug companies
spent over $7 billion marketing its drugs to physicians in 2005 alone,
including providing gifts, meals and other financial incentives. Studies show
that gifts inherently influence prescribing decisions.
Pharmaceutical gifts undermine quality of
care and unnecessarily increase prescribing of the most expensive drugs. The
cost of the gifts that pharmaceutical companies give physicians are passed on
to consumers, employers, and the state in inflated prescription drug prices –
prices that threaten access to needed medications and strain individuals’ and
the Commonwealth’s budgets.
An evidence-based physician education
program would provide doctors with unbiased information to guide them in their
prescribing decisions. Such programs have the potential to more pay for
themselves with savings to public programs.
By taking a stand against gifts to
prescribers and promoting evidence-based prescribing, the Commonwealth will
ensure that everyone has access to the right drug at the right price.
3-3-08---Statement---MPRC-Senate-President-Cost-Control.pdf