Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113125

Sharon Treat, JD, National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices, P.O. Box 492, Hallowell, ME 04347, (207) 622-5597, nlarx@gwi.net

At the global level, the issues surrounding the pharmaceutical sector spotlight real and potential conflicts between free market enterprise and public health policy. The pharmaceutical industry is a powerful engine in global economic development, and shocks to that industry can send the stock market index down. Industry development strategies are naturally designed to maximize profits in lucrative (and relatively healthy) markets with minimal attention to maximizing health status around the world, and these strategies have attracted increasing sharp criticism from civil society, which sees health as a human right and public good. This panel will include presentations on four recently established and innovative organizations who are responding to these basic conflicts in the pharmaceutical sector, including:

National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices (NLARx) is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded and directed by state legislators. Working across state lines and with a particular focus on reducing prescription drug prices, NLARx assists legislators to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to their constituents. The organization is a clearinghouse for legislation and information to assist state legislators across the country in researching prescription drug-related legislation, and networking with other legislators, academics, policymakers, and activists working on these issues. NLARx has become a leader in the national dialogue on reducing prescription drug prices. Information sharing is key. NLARx maintains an electronic distribution list of legislators, administrators, members of the media, and interested groups and citizens from around the country. The Association supports the enactment of legislation to reduce prescription drug prices; initiates and coordinates communication with members of Congress and with Federal agencies to promote federal laws and policies to reduce prescription drug prices; provides a forum for the discussion, including urging development of federal and state insurance assistance programs. Working on a shoestring budget, NLARx is non-partisan but very politically active – in the best sense of the expression.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how economic incentives and health as a public good are in conflict within the pharmaceutical sector.
• Describe, discuss and evaluate creative organizational responses to this conflict.

Keywords: Access, Politics

Related Web page: www.nlarx.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation