Press Conference to Look at Maine Rx Program Arguments: Supreme Court Case Could Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs

1/16/2003

From: Peggy Lewis of Alliance For Retired Americans, 202-974-8271 plewis@retiredamericans.org

News Advisory:

Consumer and advocacy groups will hold a press conference on Jan 21 at 9:30 a.m. in Zenger Room at the National Press Club to preview oral arguments and discuss the implications of a landmark case before the Supreme Court that could lower the cost of prescription drugs for the uninsured.

PhRMA (the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America), the lobby and trade group of the pharmaceutical industry, has sued the state of Maine to try and stop the program.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday, January 22, in "PhRMA vs. Concannon," which concerns a Maine law that would allow the state to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for all state residents through the state's Medicaid program.

An estimated 70 million Americans do not have prescription drug coverage and are forced to pay the highest prices for medications because they are not represented by anyone to negotiate prices. The "Maine Rx" program is a creative solution to this problem, and many states would like to set up similar programs. The outcome of this case will determine whether or not that will be possible.

What: Press Conference on "Maine Rx" Program

When: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m.

Where: National Press Club, Zenger Room (529 14th Street, N.W. 13th floor)

Who: John Carr, President of Maine Council of Senior Citizens-Alliance for Retired Americans; Bill Novelli, Executive Director and CEO of AARP; John J. Sweeney, President of AFL-CIO; George J. Kourpias, President of Alliance for Retired Americans; Congressman Michael Michaud (D-ME); Chellie Pingree, former ME state senator and original sponsor of "Maine Rx"; and Paulette Beaudoin and Carleen Simpson, older Maine residents who took part in bus trips to Canada to get lower costs for medications