TIFF WELLS
Staff Writer

Debates continue over propositions 78 and 79, which are dueling drug discount initiatives. If pharmaceutical firms have their way, Prop. 78 will pass, and if consumer and labor groups have their way, Prop. 79 will too.

Prop. 78, also known as Cal Rx, would establish a new state drug discount. This would reduce the cost that some Californians would have to pay for their prescription drugs at pharmacies.

This proposition offers Californians, who are struggling with high prescription drugs costs, immediate help. Supporters say that this proposition will “bring real help, right now,” according to the state’s ballot measure summary.

Prop. 78 supporters are generally seniors, taxpayers, consumers, patient advocates, health care professionals and small businesses. They support the measure, according to the user guide, because it “doesn’t require any federal approval and it provides discounts on a wider range of drugs.”

 California’s Prop. 79 resembles Maine’s Rx Plus and would create a new state drug discount program, reducing the costs that certain Californians would pay for prescription drugs at pharmacies.

California residents say that Prop. 79 provides enforceable discounts by the drug companies, not “voluntary” ones stated in Prop. 78, which allow drug companies to choose whether they give discounts.

Supporters of Prop. 79 are consumer, health and senior citizen advocates. According to the ballot measure summary:

Pro arguments for Prop. 78: It provides that millions of seniors and low income, uninsured Californians can buy prescription drugs at discounts of 40 percent. It’s adapted from a successfully program operating in Ohio. Prop. 78 can take effect immediately without a big government bureaucracy.

 Con arguments for Prop. 78: It is a “smokescreen” sponsored by the prescription drug companies to stop Prop. 79. Under Prop. 78, drug companies don’t have to provide a single discount and the plan can end at any time. Prop. 79, on the other hand, is a real and enforceable plan backed by consumer groups.

Pro arguments for Prop. 79: It provides enforceable discounts on prescription drugs for millions of Californians. Prop. 79 provides deeper discounts to more people than the drug industry’s “voluntary” Prop. 78. Prop. 79 saves taxpayers money by reducing prescription drug costs.

Con arguments for Prop. 79: It can’t deliver what it promises. It’s based on a failed program that never took effect. Prop. 79 won’t receive federal approval because it threatens poor patients’ access to needed drugs. Prop. 79 creates a big government bureaucracy, costing millions. Trial lawyers can file for thousands of frivolous lawsuits.

 

11-03-2005