Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act would help lower prescription drug prices in Illinois

A bill in Illinois would attempt to reduce the price of prescription drugs in the state. The Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act would make the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) enter partnerships with drug manufacturers to increase competition and increase access to generic drugs.

Representative Dagmara Avelar filed HB 3583 in February. The bill was assigned to the Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility Committee last week. It was also referred to the rules committee. It must pass through the substantive committees before going to a second reading.

 

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If the bill passes, the IDPH will enter partnerships with drug manufacturers and other state agencies to ramp up production of generic drugs. The partnership will address shortages in the generic drug market.

The IDPH will consult with public agencies, instate health insurers, hospitals and pharmacy benefit managers that operate in the state to determine which drugs to purchase and in what volume.  

The bill comes as part of a statewide effort to reduce the price of prescription drugs in the state. In January, monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs were capped at $100. Another bill filed in February, HB 1745, would limit the total monthly out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.

Prescription drug prices have risen nationwide over recent years. In 2021, drugs increased by an average of 3.3%. While inflation has slowed, in 2020 they rose by 5.8% and by 5.2% in 2019, many drugs have become unaffordable for many families.