Prescription drugs

61 Question: Should California mandate that state agencies contracting to buy prescription

drugs pay no more than the lowest price paid for the drug by the Department of Veterans Affairs? Money raised for “Yes” campaign: $14.6 million Money raised for “No” campaign: $108.9 million

What you should know: This measure would require state agencies to pay no more for a prescription drug than the price the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays. The VA typically pays the lowest price for prescription drugs of any public or private entity, because federal law ensures the agency gets a 24% discount off a drug’s list price right off the bat. Proponents argue it would eventually help lower soaring drug prices statewide. Opponents, including the pharmaceutical industry, warn it could lead to higher drug prices for veterans and seniors.