New York State Assembly
Notice of Public Hearing

Committee on Health
Richard N. Gottfried
Chair

New York City
Friday, February 1, 2008
10:00 AM
250 Broadway, 19th Floor
Assembly Hearing Room

The cost of prescription drugs in the United States has grown dramatically, and continues to dramatically outpace inflation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, spending on retail prescription drugs in the United States more than tripled from $15 billion in 1982 to $48.2 billion in 1992, then more than tripled again to $162.4 billion in 2002. In per capita terms, retail prescription drugs spending increased from $64 in 1982 to $569 in 2002. In 2005, spending on pharmaceuticals rose to $251.8 billion.

The availability of useful new drugs accounts for much of the increased spending. But a large part of it is spending on drugs that are little if any better than predecessor drugs but have fresh patents and heavy advertising and marketing budgets. There is widespread concern about the impact aggressive marketing has on drug costs and prescribing patterns.

One way pharmaceutical companies target their marketing is to purchase from pharmacies - information about which prescribers prescribe which drugs.

There are numerous proposals before the Legislature to deal with aspects of drug marketing and purchasing, including: disclosure of drug company gifts to physicians (A. 7468, Gottfried), creating a state purchasing and discount program (A. 3848,Gottfried), limiting sale of prescribing information by pharmacies or others (A. 7645, Cahill) and expanding the information disclosed in regards to clinical drug trials (A. 2274A, Jacobs).

People who want to testify at the hearing must indicate that on the reply form. We will accommodate as many witnesses as possible. Others may submit written testimony, which will be considered by the Committee and will be part of the record of the hearing. Written testimony may be e-mailed as an attached Word or PDF document to the Committee at: healthhearings@assembly.state.ny.us.

Persons wishing to attend or testify at this hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible, but no later than January 28. It is important the form be fully completed and returned so persons may be notified in the event of postponement or cancellation of the hearing.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes in length. All testimony is under oath. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. This request should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as soon as possible. Ten copies of any prepared statement should be submitted at the hearing registration table.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Questions about this hearing may be directed to Bryan O'Malley of the Assembly Committee on Health at 518-455-4941 (omalleb@assembly.state.ny.us).

Prescription drug marketing and purchasing reform
Public Hearing Reply Form
Please respond by January 28

The committee will accommodate as many witnesses as possible.

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required: