(The Center Square) – Industry groups have lined up on opposite sides of Illinois legislation aimed at providing patient access to discount medications.
Senate Bill 2385 would create the Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act and provide regulations involving the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Patients Rising chief mission officer Terry Wilcox said the bill does nothing to protect patients.
“It does nothing to lower drug costs. It does nothing to expand access. It does nothing to ensure that billions of dollars in the 340B program go towards helping the actual patients it was intended to serve,” Wilcox said.
SB 2385 was introduced by state Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria. The measure would prohibit interference with 340B drug acquisition by or delivery to contract pharmacies and would prevent anyone from forcing pharmacies to provide ingredient cost or pricing data.
Wilcox asked why patients are not allowed to know if their medicine was purchased at a discount.
“Why do we allow billions to flow through a public program with absolutely zero patient accountability? We’re not calling for the end of 340B, as I have already stated, but for reform, reform that brings patients back to the center. Let’s get the system working as it was intended to by putting patients first,” Wilcox said.
Mari Gonzalez of Chicago said she is a patient with a chronic illness and struggles to get medication.
“Why are we not benefiting from the program that was supposed to be for us, the most vulnerable in our communities?” Gonzalez asked.
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association supports SB 2385 and blasted Patients Rising.
“A front group backed by some of the world’s largest drug manufacturers – including AstraZeneca, Biogen, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Merck, Pfizer and their trade association, PhRMA – is flooding Springfield with false claims to derail SB 2385/HB 3350,” said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO. “This legislation is vital to preserving the 340B drug discount program and ensuring access to life-saving medications and comprehensive healthcare services for vulnerable patients across Illinois.”
The Illinois Primary Care Association also supports SB 2385 and said Patients Rising failed to disclose its “deep financial and operational ties to the pharmaceutical industry.”
“Patients Rising has appeared in multiple states as part of coordinated efforts to block legislation that protects safety-net providers and affordable access to medications,” IPHCA said in a statement.
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association joined biotechnology research and development groups PhRMA and iBIO in opposition to SB 2385.
SB 2385 was approved by the Senate Executive Committee late Wednesday evening.
The spring legislative session is scheduled to end Saturday, May 31.
