Rx Drugs Top AARP Priority for 2007 Legislative Session
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-01-29 16:47:00-05:00
In the summer of 2006, 86 percent of our members surveyed told us that access to affordable prescription drugs should be a top or high AARP legislative priority.
So when the 2007 Nevada Legislature convenes on Feb. 5, AARP Nevada will be focusing on this issue. AARP Nevada staff and volunteers will again be in Carson City, representing the interests of more than 307,000 AARP members.
Our Rx for Nevada legislative campaign has already begun. But we need your help to let legislators know our members care about these issues. We encourage you to write, call or e-mail your elected representatives regarding bills you feel they should support.
Access the Nevada Legislature's Web site
This site offers great information on bills, hearings, and legislator contact information.
You can also contact AARP Nevada via e-mail to get more involved as a legislative volunteer. There are many ways to engage in the political process besides voting during election time.
AARP Nevada Will Support Three Rx Drug Bills
While the following three bills will be AARP Nevada's highest priority, we will be involved in many other issues that benefit, protect, and defend our members and others.
1) AB128: "Detailing" bill sponsored by Marcus Conklin (D - Las Vegas). This bill requires that Rx drug manufactures report payments, gifts and other economic benefits they give to physicians. This reporting measure would exclude items that benefit patients, such as samples of medicines.
The drug industry spends billions of dollars every year to market high-cost, brand-name drugs to physicians and providers. Nevadans should know how much is being spent on marketing and how this adds to the cost of the medicines they need.
2) SB231: "Profiling" bill sponsored by Senator Joe Heck (R - Henderson). This bill prohibits pharmacies from selling information regarding the drugs doctors prescribe to patients.
This information is currently being used for marketing by drug companies and AARP Nevada feels it is an invasion of privacy for both physicians and patients.
3) AB235: "Rx Labeling" bill sponsored by Assemblyman David Bobzien (D - Reno). This bill will allow pharmacies to include additional information on the Rx bottle label and customer information sheet.
The additional information will include the purpose of the prescription (what it is for—heart, high blood pressure, etc.) and will list both the generic and brand name of a drug on the prescription bottle and customer information sheet.
This information will be helpful to consumers and help them to engage in conversations with their doctors and pharmacists about their prescriptions.
Additional Related Links
AARP Bulletin, January 2007, Prescription Drugs
Costs and Availability
Online consumer guide regarding drug costs
AARP's New Advocacy Center
preview