State Comptroller Kevin Lembo has thrown his support behind the creation of a task force to study value-based pricing of prescription drugs.
Lembo, who administers state health plans on behalf of 200,000 state and municipal employees, retirees and their dependents, said he has seen the cost of prescription coverage skyrocket, particularly in the form of specialty drugs. He said state and federal intervention is necessary.
Value-based pricing matches drug prices to the value the new drug provides in terms of improvement health outcomes for patients, Lembo said, adding it aligns the interest of patients, drug producers, and pharmacy benefit managers.
The task force proposal has been incorporated into Senate Bill 1001, an Act Concerning Task Forces on Health Care Matters that will also establish standardization of emergency code calls in hospitals.
Lembo’s office is currently not represented on the proposed task force. He has proposed the legislation be amended to include the comptroller or his designee.
