The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board has scheduled community forums across the state in April and May to seek the public’s input about soaring costs of prescription drugs.
One of those forums will be held in Lincoln County — from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 N.E. Highway 101.
The board will use public comments on the costs of specific prescription drugs as a guide when working on the state’s first plan for establishing price limits on prescription drug costs in Oregon.
Oregon lawmakers created the prescription drug affordability board through Senate Bill 844, which passed in 2021 and charged the board with making recommendations to lawmakers. In 2023, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 192, which directed the board to develop a plan with public input on establishing price limits.
Under the law, the board is required to submit the plan to legislators by Sept. 15 and include information such as the methodology for limiting costs, enforcement and and impact on the state, health insurers, hospitals, pharmacies and consumers.
There will also be two online-only forums from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, and from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14. Go here for information about how to log in to those meetings. For more information, email pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 971-374-3724.
