philk@wvgazette.com
Rx for West Virginia, a pharmaceutical industry-sponsored Web siteand call center intended to help residents determine whether theyqualify for free or discount drug programs, went online Monday.
Drug industry lobbyists first proposed the clearinghouse duringthe legislative session as an alternative to the House of Delegatesversion of the Pharmaceutical Affordability and Availability Act,which would have linked prices for prescription drugs in the state tothe deeply discounted Federal Supply Schedule.
Proponents of that option contend it could have cut stateprescription drug costs by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
Ultimately, the Legislature adopted a hybrid of the two proposals,with legislation that calls for the immediate implementation of thecall center, and establishes an 11-member council mandated to come upwith recommendations for more sweeping cost-control measures by thisfall.
As unveiled Monday by Christian Clymer, with the PharmaceuticalResearch and Manufacturers of America - the major national drugindustry lobby - the Web site and call center will make it easier forstate residents to determine if they qualify for a wide variety offree or discount drug programs offered by drug manufacturers.
Delegate Dan Foster, D-Kanawha, one of the authors of thePharmaceutical Affordability Act, said at first glance, Rx for WestVirginia doesn't seem any different from a number of other Web sitesavailable to help patients determine their eligibility for free ordiscounted prescription drugs.
Dr. Bob Walker, chairman of family medicine at the MarshallUniversity School of Medicine, appeared at the news conference, butstressed that he was not representing Marshall, or the LincolnPrimary Care Center, nor that he was whole-heartedly endorsing theclearinghouse.
'I'm sure this is an attempt for this industry to try to castitself in a favorable light,' he said. 'We also have to realize theyare talking about discounting and giving away medication.'
Walker added, 'I want what's best for my patients, regardless ofwhether it's through politics, threats or innuendo.'
He said the Lincoln clinic has two full-time employees who assistpatients in determining their eligibility for free or discount drugprograms.
He believes many West Virginians, particularly older residents,are unaware the programs exist, and many lack access to the Internetneeded to apply for the discounts.
Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, attended a kickoff forthe clearinghouse Monday. House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh, wasunable to attend because of a scheduling mix-up.
Kiss said later his absence should not be construed as a lack ofsupport for the program.
He said the House-Senate compromise reached late in the regularsession hinged on giving the drug companies a year to show if theclearinghouse could produce real savings for state residents. Kisssaid a legislative interim committee and the Pharmaceutical CostManagement Council both will closely monitor the results of the Website and call center.
'It's a matter of watching and monitoring,' he said.
Kiss said he and Tomblin have taped a public service ad promotingRx for West Virginia, saying it would have been disingenuous to agreeto the clearinghouse concept in March and then not support itpublicly.
'If you don't try to make it succeed, you open yourself tocriticism,' Kiss said.
Residents can visit the Web site at www.RxforWV.org, or may phonethe call center at (877) 982-7948.
Clymer said the call center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday. He said he did not know how many people are employedat the call center or where it is located.
Wanda Moebius, PhRMA spokeswoman, said the call center is locatedin Iowa, and also takes calls for Rx for Ohio, a similar industry-sponsored clearinghouse.
'We wanted the most experienced operators,' she said, noting thatoperators at the call center need to have some basic understanding ofvarious types of drugs to handle the inquiries more quickly.
In a related matter, Gov. Bob Wise announced the appointments ofthe five citizen members to the Pharmaceutical Cost ManagementCouncil.
They are: Charles Burdette of Fruth Pharmacy; Heather Bresch, vicepresident of government and public relations for Mylan Laboratories;Steve Neal, with the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley: KevinOutterson, associate professor at the West Virginia UniversityCollege of Law; and Dr. Wayne Spiggle.
The council is scheduled to meet for the first time today.
To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.
