Last year, Minnesota established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). Amid ongoing discussions about healthcare and medication affordability, the board negotiates drug prices to manage patient prescription costs.
However, the complexities of our healthcare system mean that no single solution can fit all scenarios, and it is more complex than setting a cap on drug prices.
We must account for the expenses related to our advanced healthcare infrastructure and the reality of being the largest consumer and third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals. Our significant investments and innovation in healthcare have resulted in the development of numerous medications, including many specialized drugs for rare diseases.
While the PDAB may make sense for some medications, it could disrupt the supply of specialized drugs requiring specific storage and transport. Given our existing racial and socioeconomic healthcare disparities, any shortage could disproportionately affect communities of color.
The PDAB’s efforts could discourage pharmaceutical companies from researching and developing drugs for rare diseases due to the high costs and complexities of production and distribution.
If manufacturers find it uneconomical to produce these specialized drugs, patients will have fewer treatment options. If manufacturers cannot cover costs, they might stop supplying such drugs. In both cases, it would particularly impact Black and other minority communities where diseases are more prevalent and healthcare is less accessible.
Logistical flexibility in production, delivery, and storage is crucial to ensure patients receive their medication promptly and in the correct dosage. The PDAB’s pressure to reduce costs could limit this flexibility, potentially leading manufacturers to reduce the production of specialized medications or cease production altogether.
Additionally, treatment plans for rare diseases often involve personalized care, coordinated services, and patient compliance support, which extend beyond just administering medications.
These services are essential, not optional. A state-appointed board focused on reducing drug prices might not account for the resources necessary to support these services, potentially undermining crucial care and support systems. This could reduce the overall quality of treatment for many patients. Understanding that not all treatment plans or medications are the same when addressing healthcare costs is crucial.
Although the PDAB is a positive step, it may not be the comprehensive solution we hope for in reducing healthcare costs. We need to consider the complexities of specialized medications, including their production, storage, and distribution. This will help forecast the outcomes and reduce the unintended consequences across various cultural groups already facing disparities in healthcare access and disease susceptibility.
Solutions should be flexible and acknowledge the unique challenges of making medications affordable without sacrificing access or the quality of care.
Brett Buckner is the managing director of OneMN.org, a research-based advocacy and communications project that provides public policy recommendations that support and propel racial, social, and economic equity across Minnesota.
Support Black local news
Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.