FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

Baca Helps Launch Effort to Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable
for all Californians

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today added his name to a discharge petition that would force a vote on legislation that could save consumers as much as $6 billion in annual prescription drug costs. The H.R. 1862, The Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act, would close loopholes in a federal law that drug companies use to prevent competition by keeping lower-cost generics off the market. If the discharge petition gains 218 signatures, the generic drug legislation will be forced to a floor vote, thereby sidestepping the Republican leadership who have been unwilling so far to bring up the legislation. On July 31, by an overwhelming vote of 78-21, the Senate passed similar legislation, sponsored by Senators John McCain and Charles Schumer.

"Consumers in California would save millions of dollars every year," Baca said. "We have the opportunity to do something about an issue that is hurting more Americans than just about any other - the high cost of prescription drugs."

The legislation would overhaul the laws governing the way prescription drugs are brought to market in order to ensure that less expensive drugs are available when people go to the pharmacy. Loopholes in the current law allow name brand drug companies to keep less expensive drugs off the market and out of pharmacies, forcing seniors and other prescription drug users to pay top dollar for their medications. The bill would ensure timely approval of the cheaper generic drugs by eliminating many of the legal hurdles that drug companies use to keep their less expensive generic competition off the market.

"Consumers and seniors are depending on Congress to pass this common sense legislation that will ultimately cut the costs of popular drugs in half if generic alternatives are made available," Baca said.

According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the bipartisan bill will create competition, slash costs, and save consumers as much as $60 billion over the next ten years.

"This is the first step of many to help ease America's prescription drug crisis," Baca said. "We need to pass this bill to make generic drugs a more cost effective option for seniors without losing sight of the ultimate goal of providing a real, comprehensive prescription drug benefit under Medicare."

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