Issue of drug costs a factor in ‘Fight for Five’ Maryland Senate races

The article about contested races for the Maryland Senate did not mention a key issue that is resonating with voters in State House races: the soaring costs of prescription drugs (“Maryland GOP wages ‘Fight for Five’ campaign to end Democrats’ supermajority in state Senate,” Oct. 26). Across the state, people struggle to pay for lifesaving medications.

Our group, the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, has been working on this issue for several years. In 2019, we will advocate for legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would ensure that drug costs are fair and affordable to people across the state.

We have received great support over the past few years from three incumbent senators — Sen. Katherine Klausmeier in the 8th District, Sen. Jim Mathias in the 38th and Sen. Ron Young in the 3rd. Our organization has paid for educational mailers to go to voters throughout those three districts to let them know that these senators are standing with the people on this issue and have already pledged their support for the drug affordability board.

Far too many people simply cannot afford the drugs they need. This is wrong and we need legislators who are willing to stand up to the drug companies and insist on fair and affordable drug costs.