MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Wednesday urged the Legislature to approve bi-partisan legislation that would allow the sale of low-cost prescription drugs in Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin needs to join the 45 other states that allow low-cost drugs to be sold in their states so consumers and businesses can enjoy costs savings during these tough economic times,” said James A. Buchen, WMC senior vice president of government relations.
On Wednesday, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers proposed repealing Wisconsin’s minimum mark-up requirement for prescription drugs. The proposal was introduced by Senator Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa), Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee), Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) and Representative Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee).
“This is a common sense proposal to allow patients to get the medicines they need at affordable prices,” Buchen said.
Currently, Wisconsin’s minimum mark-up law applies to the sale of prescription drugs. The bill would allow pharmacies to sell drugs at a lower price.
Pharmacies in border communities such as Kenosha or Beloit could be hard-hit as patients travel across state lines to save money.
“Our current minimum mark- up on prescription drugs is similar to Wisconsin’s ban on margarine that was repealed in 1967,” Buchen said . “It didn’t make sense then to force consumers across state lines to buy margarine and it doesn’t make sense now to force sick people across state lines to buy low-cost medicine.”
For Further Information Contact:
James A. Buchen, (608) 258-3400
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