SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a plan Thursday to create a prescription drug affordability board to help lower drug costs.

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 for brand-name drugs, biosimilar medications and generic drugs that cause affordability challenges for patients.

"When I am knocking on doors in my community, I'm hearing these devastating stories, as you may be hearing from your constituents, about people rationing their medication, making life-threatening decisions about their health because they can't afford their prescription drug," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine).

Yet, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said these boards put unelected bureaucrats with no clinical experience between patients and their doctors and risk reducing access to critical treatments.

"Evidence from other states clearly showed that prescription drug affordability boards do not achieve this goal," said Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva). "They are expensive undertakings that other states have either repealed or are considering repealing due to costs and ineffectiveness."

Senate Bill 3496 narrowly passed out of the House on a 62-39 vote. The measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. 

Syed and Citizen Action Illinois have pushed for this proposal consistently over recent years as prescription costs continue to rise. Sponsors and advocates note this version would create a sunset for the board after five years, which would give lawmakers the opportunity to assess if they have actually helped lower drug costs.

"It's past time for medicine to be about people before profit," Syed said. "The industry has had years to voluntarily do right by the billions of people worldwide who depend on modern medications to stay alive and healthy. Illinois families, at least, will soon be done waiting." 

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed a prescription drug affordability board bill Tuesday. Advocates with the lobbying organization Freedom Virginia argue Spanberger sold out to Big Pharma and abandoned hard-working Virginians. 

"These boards often fail to address the real drivers of patient costs, such as insurers and pharmacy benefit managers," said PhRMA spokesman Will May. "Illinois should focus on protecting patient access and affordability by addressing the abusive practices of insurers and PBMs." 

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