Issue 2 backer: Drug firms, not foundation, are ‘corrupt’

Charging opponents are painting him and his nonprofit foundation as profiteers, the man behind state Issue 2 — the Drug Price Relief Act — is airing an hour-long documentary in Ohio’s major TV markets to explain his mission.

The documentary about the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will air at 11 a.m. Sunday on WCMH (Channel 4) in Columbus, the group’s president, Michael Weinstein, told reporters Friday. The documentary, “Keeping the Promise,” which is costing $62,000 to air statewide, does not address Issue 2.

“The sleazy ads ... have led people to believe the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is a drug company and we are the greedy corrupt culprits rather than them,” Weinstein said.

“I think the people of Ohio deserve more than 30-second attack ads from either side.”

The issue on the Nov. 7 ballot would prohibit the state from purchasing prescription drugs for the Medicaid program, employee health insurance and other state entities unless the prices match or are lower than the discounted prices drug makers provide to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Anti-Issue 2 forces, led by major pharmaceutical companies, are spending tens of millions of dollars on TV advertising in a bid to persuade Ohioans to vote against the measure.

Weinstein said his AIDS Healthcare Foundation has worked for 30 years to help treat and prevent the disease while undertaking other humanitarian missions.

Ohioans should note, he said, that pharmaceutical companies are not making a case that the prices of prescription drugs are fair.

“What this will come down to is whether Ohioans believe drug prices are too high. Drug companies are abusing the system,” he said.

The Issue 2 campaign says passage of the measure could save Ohio taxpayers around $400 million, a figure ridiculed by opponents. An analysis by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management concluded state savings on drug costs “were plausible, but uncertain.”

Weinstein and his nonprofit is bankrolling Issue 2 after failing to win voter approval of a similar measure in his home state of California.