Maryland creates drug affordability review board

Maryland will become the first state with a drug affordability review board, which will study prescription costs paid by state and local governments and make policy recommendations, when a new law goes into effect on July 1.

The board will focus on drugs with a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of $30,000 or more per year or course of treatment; drugs whose WAC increases more than $3,000 in any 12-month period; biosimilars whose WAC at launch is not at least 15% less expensive than their reference drug; and generics that cost over $100 per month or whose price has increased by 200% or more during the preceding 12-month period. After identifying drugs from these categories, the board will consider a cost review and report its findings to Maryland's legislative bodies...