State Rep. Julie Calley’s plan to reduce the cost of prescription medicine in Michigan has been approved by the Legislature.

Calley, of Portland, said the average price of medication to treat diabetes, heart disease, depression and other common conditions has more than doubled over the past six years.

“The high cost of prescription medicine puts far too many Michiganders in the tough predicament of having to choose between paying their bills and affording life-saving drugs,” Calley said. “About 32 percent of Michigan residents admit to taking less medicine than their doctors recommend because of the price. Meanwhile, these prescription drug middlemen have no trouble recording record profits. This plan addresses the issue directly.”

Calley’s plan, House Bill 4348, will help lower drug prices by reining in pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) – the unregulated middlemen who have been manipulating drug prices to make more money for themselves instead of passing along savings to consumers. In addition, certain practices to generate revenue will be prohibited, including charging the customer more than the retail price of the prescription and returning the overage to the PBM.

House Bill 4348 is now on its way to the governor’s desk after receiving overwhelming support in both the House and Senate.

###