Hartford, Conn. (WTIC Radio)-Appearing before the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Governor Lamont's Deputy Chief of Staff, Johnny Dach, testified on a measure by the Governor to lower prescription drug prices.
The measure limits price increases to no more than the cost of inflation, plus two percent. It also calls for the importation of certain drugs from Canada.
"Americans pay more for pharmaceuticals then our peers in other developed countries. Thanks to our friends in the Comptroller's office, we were able to analyze 50 drugs purchased through the state health care plan. It showed if OCS paid Canadian, instead of US prices for those drugs, our taxpayers and insurers could save 57-percent of their costs. Even if we paid no more than double the Canadian prices, they could still save 35-percent, Dach said.
As for the importation prospect, Dach said. "Six states have got in line with the federal government to see if we can work this out. Not one has got to the finish line. There's no guarantee Connecticut will break the pattern. But the downside risk of trying is quite low."