April 6th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Legislation expanding authority of Prescription Drug Affordability Board wins final passage; Governor Moore strongly supports the measure.

The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition congratulated the Maryland General Assembly for giving final approval today to landmark legislation to expand the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The measure goes to Governor Wes Moore, who has expressed strong support for it.

Under current law, the Board has the authority to limit high drug costs for state and local governments. The newly passed legislation expands the Board’s authority to curb the costs of high-cost drugs for all Marylanders. 

“This is a big day for Marylanders who may struggle to pay for their prescription medicines,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Coalition. “The General Assembly has taken a major step for average Marylanders by expanding the authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The Board has already made substantial progress in its work toward reducing costs for drugs purchased by the state government and local governments. With this measure enacted, the Board can expand its work and develop common sense solutions to bring down costs for average Marylanders. 

“We are grateful to our sponsors, Senators Dawn Gile and Brian Feldman and Delegates Bonnie Cullison and Jennifer White Holland, and to the large majorities of legislators in the Senate and House who supported this measure. And we thank Governor Moore for his strong support for the bill and our work to bring down drug costs. Together, Maryland is leading the way on this issue in the nation.”

The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board was the first of its kind when created by the General Assembly in 2019. Today, several other states have followed Maryland’s lead.