September 18, 2004

Medical group urges special session on drug costs

The president of the West Virginia State Medical Association sent a letter to Gov. Bob Wise and legislative leaders Friday, urging a special legislative session be called on prescription drug costs.

The letter urged Wise, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and House Speaker Bob Kiss to act on the Sept. 1 report issued by the Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council.

The council has come up with several proposals to curb rising prescription drug prices.

When lawmakers passed the bill creating the council last spring, Wise pledged to call a special session in the fall to act on its recommendations. He has since wavered on whether to call a special session.

If no session is called, lawmakers would consider the council’s proposals during the 2005 regular session.

Dr. Terry R. Elliott, president of the state medical association, signed the letter. Elliott, a Wheeling doctor, became president of the group in August.