Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD

PRESCRIPTION DRUG REGISTRY BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Consumer Pricing Index Will Give Residents Ability to Comparison Shop for Best Value

(EAST BRUNSWICK) -- Legislation to give consumers the ability to comparison shop for the best value for frequently prescribed medicines by providing direct access to price and retail pharmacy information was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.The new law (formerly A-2537/2656/S-1396) is sponsored by Assembly members Linda R. Greenstein (D- Middlesex/Mercer), Herb Conaway, MD (D-Burlington), Gordon M. Johnson (D-Bergen), Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. (D-Middlesex), Peter J. Barnes, Jr. (D-Middlesex), and Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson).

The law directs the state's Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to create the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry, an easily accessible database where consumers will be able to research pricing and other retail information for the 150 most-popular prescription medications, including a listing of nearby pharmacies selling a given drug.

"It is unacceptable that any New Jerseyan should have to choose between putting food on the table or buying expensive life-saving medicine," said Greenstein. "With the ability to comparison shop for prescription drugs from the comfort of their homes, New Jersey's consumers will know that they are getting the best deals possible."

The director of DCA will coordinate with officials from the departments of Human Services and Health and Senior Services to obtain retail price information for all prescription drugs included in the registry.

Each pharmacy in the state will be required to keep a printed list of their price for any drug included in the registry to be provided to customers upon request.

The registry also will be accessible to consumers via the Internet, toll-free telephone service, and upon direct request to DCA. The Web site will provide links to government Web sites with additional prescription drug information including government regulations and assistance programs.

"Consumers need all the help they can get in dealing with the ever-increasing cost of prescription drugs," said Conaway. "This price registry will be a simple but invaluable tool that all consumers can utilize to save money. It is a worthy endeavor for our public health officials to be involved in."

In recent years, increases in prescription drug prices nationally have far outpaced the rate of inflation. From October 2004 to September 2005, the consumer price index (CPI) reported a 3.3 percent rate of inflation. Yet, manufacturer drug prices rose six percent during the same time period.

According to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, disparities in drug prices for selected drugs among chain-drug retail stores in Mercer County -- including CVS, Eckerd, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart -- averaged $47. An analysis of New York's drug registry by the Associated Press noted that the price of 30 Lipitor pills varied from $45 to $188.

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FOR RELEASE:
August 21, 2006

CONTACT:
Assemblywoman Greenstein (609) 395-9911
Assemblyman Conaway(856) 461-3997
Derek Roseman (609) 292-7065