Oregon Prescription Drug Board Seeks Public Input on Rising Drug Costs

Salem, Oregon– The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is set to embark on a series of community forums aimed at addressing the soaring costs of prescription drugs in the state. Established under Senate Bill 844 in 2021, the PDAB has been tasked with the job of devising strategies to make prescription medications more accessible and affordable for Oregonians by offering recommendations to the Oregon Legislature.

In a bid to further its mission, the PDAB was later directed by Senate Bill 192 in 2023 to develop a comprehensive plan for instituting upper payment limits (UPL) on prescription drugs sold within Oregon. These UPLs, which entail caps on what purchasers within the state would pay for specified drugs identified by the board, are intended to mitigate the burden of exorbitant drug costs on consumers.

To gather insights and perspectives from the public, the PDAB will host a series of free community forums throughout April and May. These meetings, facilitated by PDAB staff members, offer an open invitation to all individuals to learn more about the intricacies of prescription drug pricing and to share personal anecdotes highlighting the impact of expensive medications on their health, finances, and overall well-being.

Lou Savage, a distinguished figure in consumer advocacy circles, will preside over the forums as the moderator. With his wealth of experience as a former director of the Department of Consumer Business Services and Oregon insurance commissioner, Savage will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of prescription drug pricing dynamics, delve into the underlying factors driving high costs, and elucidate the PDAB’s ongoing efforts to enhance the affordability of prescription drugs and insulin for Oregonians.

Notably, one of the scheduled forums in Woodburn will be conducted entirely in Spanish, underscoring the PDAB’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. For those unable to attend in person, two online-only forums will be held in May, offering virtual participation options.

Ralph Magrish, Executive Director of PDAB, emphasized the significance of engaging stakeholders in the deliberative process, stating, “We believe it will be vital to take the time over the coming months to engage stakeholders on UPL methodologies, resources needed, how UPLs would be implemented and enforced.” Magrish expressed confidence that this inclusive approach will yield a plan and pathway that resonates with the public and effectively addresses the pressing issue of drug affordability in Oregon.

The schedule for the in-person forums is as follows:

Portland: Tuesday, April 2, 6-8 p.m. at Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St.
Lincoln City: Tuesday, April 9, 6-8 p.m. at Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Highway 101
Woodburn (Spanish-speaking): Monday, April 15, 5-7 p.m. at Woodburn Public Library Multipurpose Room, 280 Garfield St.
Medford: Thursday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. at Rogue Community College HEC, 101 S Bartlett St.
Bend: Tuesday, April 30, 6-8 p.m. at Deschutes County Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road

Additionally, the online-only forums are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, May 8, noon to 2 p.m. (ZoomGov Meeting ID: 160 968 3098, Passcode: OregonPDAB)
Tuesday, May 14, 6-8 p.m. (ZoomGov Meeting ID: 161 706 0370, Passcode: OregonPDAB)

For further information, inquiries can be directed to pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov, by calling 971-374-3724, or by visiting dfr.oregon.gov/pdab.