Health News

Marylanders Say Lower Drug Prices Won’t Stifle Research, New Poll Finds

A recent poll reveals that most Maryland residents believe lowering prescription drug prices won’t hinder research and development for new treatments, challenging a key argument from the pharmaceutical industry.

Majority of Marylanders Reject Pharma’s Price-Research Link

The new poll, released by Gonzales Research & Media Services Inc., shows that a staggering 83% of Marylanders believe drug manufacturers could reduce prescription drug prices without slashing funding for drug research. This aligns with the widespread public opinion that pharmaceutical companies prioritize high advertising costs and inflated profits over actual research investment.

Respondents were asked about the possibility of reducing prescription drug prices by curbing spending on things like advertising. The overwhelming majority, 83%, agreed that drug companies can afford to lower costs without impacting their research budgets. In contrast, only 12% of those surveyed felt that capping drug prices would compromise funding for new drug developments, while 5% were unsure.

Marylanders polling on prescription drug prices

Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All coalition, which helped commission the poll, pointed to the results as a clear message: Marylanders are unconvinced by the pharmaceutical industry’s argument. He noted, “The public understands that the drug companies’ scare tactics are just that — scare tactics.”

Pharmaceutical Industry’s Stance: High Prices Fuel Research

Despite the poll’s results, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) maintains that high drug prices are necessary to fund the expensive and time-consuming process of developing new medications. According to PhRMA, limiting drug prices would reduce the financial resources available for innovation and research, potentially stalling the discovery of life-saving treatments.

The issue remains a contentious one, particularly in Maryland, where local lawmakers and health care experts are wrestling with how to balance the cost of prescription drugs with the needs of public health systems. The state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board, tasked with lowering drug costs for state and local government health care plans, has become a key player in this ongoing debate.

Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board Faces Growing Pressure

As Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board looks at ways to reduce the burden of high drug prices on taxpayers and state health care plans, the poll results suggest that voters are wary of the pharmaceutical industry’s claims. Marylanders are concerned with the affordability of drugs, but they are also increasingly skeptical of the narrative that price controls will stifle innovation.

This ongoing debate highlights the tension between making prescription drugs more accessible to the public and ensuring that drug manufacturers have the resources they claim are needed for future breakthroughs. The conversation is not only shaping state policy but is also influencing the broader national discourse on health care reform.

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