Small Businesses in Oregon Express Concerns Over Prescription Drug Board’s Approach

Small businesses across Oregon are raising alarms about the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s (PDAB) current strategies and practices, emphasizing potential negative impacts on their operations and employees. These businesses, often already operating on thin margins, rely heavily on affordable healthcare options to maintain workforce health and productivity.

A coalition of patient advocacy groups and small business representatives initially submitted a letter in December 2023 to the Oregon PDAB, highlighting issues such as the lack of clinical expert review, equitable representation, and transparency. Recently, more groups have joined the chorus, stressing the need for enhanced stakeholder engagement and transparency in the board’s activities.

“Nowhere in the data currently being provided for its deliberations is there any way for the PDAB to know that its work will reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs for their needed medications and therapies,” said Lorren Sandt, executive director of Caring Ambassadors.

Small businesses, particularly those offering health benefits, are concerned that the PDAB’s current approach could lead to increased healthcare costs and reduced access to necessary medications for their employees. This situation could make it more challenging for small businesses to attract and retain talent, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

Marcia Horn, President and CEO of ICAN, stressed the importance of comprehensive stakeholder involvement. “It’s imperative that the voices of patients, advocates, and small business owners are heard and respected in these critical discussions about the true mechanisms and impact of drug pricing.”

The coalition, including organizations like ALS Northwest, Answer2Cancer Inc., and the International Cancer Advocacy Network (ICAN), points out that the PDAB lacks representation from patients and small businesses. Additionally, the board does not have a formal mechanism for stakeholder advisory or engagement, despite regulations that highlight the need for diverse patient experiences.

Concerns also extend to the PDAB’s public engagement practices, which are limited to a virtual portal requiring extensive preliminary information and public comment periods held during work hours. This process contrasts sharply with other states like Washington, where patient and small business inclusion is a prioritized aspect of PDAB operations.

Small business advocates argue that without meaningful involvement from those directly impacted, the board’s decisions may not effectively address the real-world challenges faced by both patients and small business owners in Oregon.

“We have been told if we want an advisory board, the legislation needs to be fixed. We can’t wait for the 2025 legislative session because, in the meantime, the Board will review ten more drugs,” Sandt emphasized.

Madonna McGuire Smith, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Bleeding Disorders, added, “As community-oriented and patient-led organizations, we are all united in our deep concern about the cost of prescription drugs. The Oregon prescription board’s lack of adequate representation, engagement, and transparency is troublesome. It’s imperative that the voices of patients, advocates, and small business owners are heard and respected in these critical discussions about the true mechanisms and impact of drug pricing.”

The coalition’s call to action underscores the necessity for the Oregon PDAB to prioritize inclusivity and transparency, ensuring that the needs of diverse communities and small businesses are effectively met.