NJCA praises Murphy appointees for Drug Affordability Council, urges action on further appointees

Newark, March 25 —New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) Health Care Program Director Laura Waddell released this statement following Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement of initial appointments for New Jersey’s Drug Affordability Council.

“We applaud Governor Murphy for taking action on these critical appointments following the landmark law passed last year. The Council will perform a comprehensive analysis of the pharmaceutical supply, distribution, and payment system, and make policy recommendations to both the Administration and our Legislature that will lower prescription drug costs for everyone. The individuals named by Governor Murphy include researchers and analysts with extensive policy backgrounds in health care costs and access at the state and federal level, as well as experts on prescription drug pricing, their affordability, and incentives for market innovation. These appointees are vital for ensuring we have a consumer-focused Council.

“We urge Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nicholas Scutari to name their appointments as soon as possible, so a full Council may convene and begin the long-awaited work of lowering prescription drug costs for millions of New Jerseyans.”.