June 20, 2007

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today called on the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee to support legislation creating a broad-based, user friendly, drug cost website.

"Consumers will drive a block to save a nickel on gas, or clip coupons to save quarters.  My office's investigations have shown that Michigan citizens can save hundreds of dollars a month on prescriptions by being able to compare prices," Cox observed.  This legislation will help Michigan seniors, consumers, the underinsured, the uninsured and the unemployed save money immediately on their drugs."

On June 14, six days before the hearings, the Department of Community Health (DCH) changed its policy toward the prescription drug website after months of public pressure.  According to DCH, in the first 24 hours after the drug cost website was expanded, the system was "overwhelmed" by 200,000 hits.  Cox pointed out that the new website, a welcomed addition, still fails to measure up to the proposed legislation.

"Senator Kahn's bill will expand the website to at least 150 drugs, clearly define the difference between the cost of generic and brand name drugs, and add a toll-free number for consumers to call if they need to file a complaint about drug costs or pharmacies withholding information," Cox continued.

DCH did not create a user friendly website until a similar bill sponsored by then-Representative Roger Kahn passed the State House.  At that time the website was modified to include only 30 prescription drugs.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Carol Isaacs delivered testimony on behalf of Attorney General Mike Cox.  Isaacs is a former Senior Deputy Director for Policy and Legal Affairs to the Department of Community Health.

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