Angry patients spur new state watchdogs to bring down drug prices

Anna Claire Vollers | (TNS) Stateline.org

Spurred by fed-up consumers, states are trying to curb spiraling prescription drug costs by assembling special public boards to investigate and regulate pricing.

The idea is similar to a local utility board: a public group that sets rules or makes recommendations to ensure that what they’re regulating — in this case, prescription medications — is affordable.

Some state laws have authorized these watchdogs to regulate drug prices for certain groups of people...