SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to create a prescription drug affordability board to help lower drug prices.

A prescription drug affordability board could evaluate high-cost drugs and set upper payment limits for what Illinois consumers pay. 

The board would be able to review prices of brand-name drugs, biosimilar medications and generic drugs that cause affordability challenges for patients.

"You can see this in our communities, but you can also see this in our state budget," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). "Our state health plans are hemorrhaging money paying for high prescription drugs. Every year that we delay action, we are losing hundreds of millions of dollars."

However, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and other opponents argue these boards often fail to address the real drivers of patients’ costs, such as insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. PhRMA spokesperson Will May told WAND News prescription drug boards put unelected state bureaucrats, many with little to no clinical experience, between patients and their doctors, which could risk reducing access to critical treatment.

"Illinois should learn from the lessons of the Inflation Reduction Act — patients facing higher out-of-pocket costs, fewer choices and more barriers to care — and focus on protecting patient access and affordability by addressing the abusive practices of insurers and PBMs," May said.

House Bill 1443 passed out of the Healthcare Availability and Accessibility Committee on an 8-4 vote Tuesday night and now heads to the House floor. Although Syed told committee members she plans to continue negotiating with stakeholders before filing an amendment. 

There are currently over 25 Democratic cosponsors for the proposal. 

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