Proposition 78 was rejected by voters in the November 2005 election.
PROP. 78
Discounts on Prescription Drugs
Should the state adopt a new state drug discount program to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for Californians at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level?
Establishes discount prescription drug program for certain low- and moderate-income Californians. Authorizes Department of Health Services to contract with participating pharmacies for discounts and with participating drug manufacturers for rebates.
Americans are living longer today, thanks, in some cases, to prescription drugs. But medicine is expensive and often unaffordable for the many who need it most. This initiative would create a discount prescription drug program that pharmaceutical companies could choose to join…or not.
- Background, key web sites, public opinion polls, select news and reports by the IGS Library at UC Berkeley
- AdWatch, HealthVote.org, provides analysis of television ads, requires RealPlayer
- In Depth Non-Partisan Analysis, League of Women Voters Ca.
- Pros & Cons Analysis, League of Women Voters Ca.
- Notable backers and detractors as well as major campaign contributors, California Voter Foundation
- Official Legislative Analysis, California Legislative Analyst’s Office (PDF)
- Background: Similarities & Differences between the Two Competing Prescription Drug Discount Initiatives, Propositions 78 & 79, HealthVote.org, explains “While Prop 78 (the pharmaceutical industry program) would rely on the voluntary cooperation of drug manufacturers in negotiating volume discounts, Prop 79 (the consumer and labor group plan) would punish manufacturers failing to offer sufficient rebates, and create a new civil violation for drug company ‘profiteering.’”
- Web Salon: The Cost of Medicine, California Connected, a lengthy, at times contentious debate on the pharmaceutical industry and fair pricing.
