North Carolina is one of six states that do not have a "preferred drug list."
By setting limits on what drugs can be prescribed for Medicaid recipients, the measure would cost drug companies millions, but it would also save the state $28 million a year.
For years, attempts to create such a list have failed at the legislature, but the severity of next year's $4.5 billion budget shortfall may finally push for the change.
When the House Appropriations Committee unveiled its budget Tuesday, it included such a plan.
Adam Searing, director of the Health Access Coalition, says that he's lost many battles before when pressing legislators for the drug list.
"The pharmaceutical industry is enormously politically powerful in North Carolina," he said. (N&O)
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