Seattle pushes for state-level prescription drug reform

SEATTLE—Citing soaring health care costs as one of the largest contributing factors to the city’s current budget crunch, the Seattle City Council Monday unanimously passed a resolution supporting prescription drug reform at the state level.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jan Drago, Peter Steinbrueck and Heidi Willis, supports House Bill 1214, which aims to tackle high prescription drug costs by creating a state bulk-purchasing pool and establishing a preferred drug list.

“This legislation will help seniors, workers and employers by providing fairness and value,” Willis said.

“It will offer more informed choices and greater access to quality health care for all consumers. It’s time for us to join the call for serious prescription drug reform, and it’s time for the state to heed our call,” she added.

As a major employer, the City of Seattle has seen its prescription drug costs increase by more than 50 percent over the past two years, with spending expected to rise by another 26 percent—or $2 million—in 2003.

“High health care costs are a burden on all citizens,” Steinbrueck, the council president, said. “The Legislature’s passage of HB 1214 will move us all in the right direction.”

Sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), and recently passed 64-33 by the House, HB 1214 would create a state bulk-purchasing pool for prescription drugs open to local governments, businesses, private organizations and individuals with no health insurance or whose insurance does not cover prescription drug costs.

The state legislation would also establish an independent panel to develop a preferred drug list based on the best available scientific evidence, with preference given to therapeutically equivalent, cost-effective treatments. Under the bill, doctors could still prescribe a drug not on the list by writing “dispense as written” on the prescription.

The state estimates it could save more than $31 million through the buying pool and preferred drug list.

The Washington State Pharmacy Association, the Washington State Medical Association, the Washington Citizen Action and dozens of other groups endorsed HB 1214.

Seattle City Council release, March 3

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