Establishing the West Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board

HB 5149 establishes the West Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board to address high prescription drug costs for residents and health systems. The board will review pricing for all prescription drugs - including brand name, generic, biologic, and biosimilar drugs - and require transparency from manufacturers about drug costs. It directly affects West Virginia residents, state/local governments, health plans, healthcare providers, and pharmacies by creating a formal process to evaluate affordability challenges. The bill mandates the board to conduct cost studies, require manufacturer disclosures, and issue reports, aiming to reduce financial burdens on patients and the healthcare system.