State Prescription Drug Affordability Board briefs commissioners on payment limits and assistance work

Vinny DeMarco of Maryland Health Care for All Coalition and Andrew York, executive director of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, briefed Worcester County Commissioners on July 7 about the board's work to reduce drug prices and assist residents who cannot afford medications.

DeMarco described the board as "first in the nation" and said it was created in 2019 to make high-cost drugs more affordable; he told the commission the board has set upper payment limits on two medications — Jardiance and Ozempic — that will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. York, the board's executive director, said the board is an independent state agency funded through a special fund and that its staff and volunteers work with local governments to help residents access drugs and manage costs. York provided an outreach contact (access.pdap@maryland.gov) for residents seeking assistance.

Commissioners asked whether the board's work had been vetted with county human-resources staff; county staff confirmed they had provided pharmaceutical cost information to the board and that the board's work should benefit county budgets and residents. York said the board is leanly run, with an overall budget of about $1.2 million and a small full-time staff supporting volunteer board members and expert volunteers.

The presentation was informational; commissioners supported awareness of the board's tools and resources and encouraged staff to refer constituents who need help affording prescription drugs.