Posted on: Monday, January 28, 2002

EDITORIAL
Drug costs for elderly can be controlled

One of the "sleeper" issues of the 2002 Legislature is the matter of prescription drug costs for the elderly and those on low incomes. This is a national problem, of course, and is central to the ongoing debate in Washington over possible changes to Medicaid.

Ultimately, a federal solution may be necessary. But local lawmakers are right not to wait. There are may approaches to controlling prescription drug costs, including price caps and regulation.

But one of the more promising approaches involves nothing more than using the state's offices to create bulk-buying power for those who do not have drug plans through their health insurance.

State-organized bulk-buying "clubs" would do no more harm to profits than other large-scale consumers that the drug companies must deal with, including HMOs and the military. It is a market-based approach that seems to make sense. Lawmakers should give the proposal close attention.