BC-ME-XGR–Legislative Briefs, Bjt,290

Baldacci signs price disclosure bill

Eds: LD 1890

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – A bill aimed at driving down prices Maine pays for prescription drugs through state programs has been signed into law.

Gov. John Baldacci on Monday signed the price-disclosure bill, which applies to manufacturers of prescription drugs dispensed through state health programs.

Under the law to take effect in three months, the drug companies must disclose to the state average wholesale prices, wholesale acquisition costs, average manufacturer prices and the best price as defined by federal law.

Supporters say having that information will help the state to negotiate the best prices for drugs distributed through MaineCare and other state programs, in effect saving the taxpayers’ money.

Opponents contended that manufacturers’ prices are already collected by the federal government and are available to the state, and that the law is an unnecessary burden on the drug industry.

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Governor signs acupuncture bill

Eds: LD 263

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci has signed a bill to allow acupuncturists to be licensed to perform a limited number of alternative treatments, such as Chinese herbal remedies.

The administration said that while it believes in evidence-based medicine, it does not want to limit Mainers’ access to alternative treatments.

Administration officials also noted that several other states have passed similar legislation, and that the state Board of Medicine reports no problems with the practice of acupuncture and its licensure.

The Maine Medical Association opposed the bill, which passed by a narrow margin.

AP-ES-04-27-04 1400EDT