Why Is Big Pharma Petrified of California’s Prop 61?

FEATURING PAUL SONG – In addition to the high-profile presidential race on the November 8th ballot, Californians will be asked to decide on a large number of ballot measures. One of them, Proposition 61, is the focus of a huge battle over prescription drug prices.

Pharmaceutical companies have been protected under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, from having their drug prices slashed. Large state governments like California, were unable to use their purchasing clout to negotiate lower prices. But if Proposition 61 passes, that will change.

Prop 61 has received high-profile support from former Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. But “Big Pharma” is fighting back by spending more than a hundred million dollars to defeat the measure, claiming that the costs of drugs for veterans and other patients would rise if Prop 61 were to pass.

Read Paul Song’s latest article about Proposition 61 HERE.

Paul Song, a board-certified radiation oncologist. He is on the board of Physicians for a National Health Program, and People for the American Way. Paul is also the Healthcare Correspondent for Rising Up With Sonali.