Americans know that prescription drug costs have far outpaced inflation. In fact, a recent study by the AARP found that the annual rate of increase for widely used brand name drugs rose to 7.2% in one year. Many smart consumers also have discovered that by careful comparison shopping they can find lower-cost medicines. We now have the ability to make comparison shopping for prescription drugs available to all consumers on a national web site.

I recently introduced federal legislation that will help Americans compare prices available at their local pharmacies. The Prescription for Savings Act, HR 4681, would require all states to submit retail prices for commonly-used prescribed drugs using data from Medicaid reimbursement forms that most pharmacies already submit to their state government. This data would be consolidated, updated monthly and made available on a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web site, allowing all consumers to find the lowest possible drug prices at pharmacies in their area.

My legislation is patterned on an innovative program set up in Maryland by Attorney General Joseph Curran. The Attorney General has developed a web site to help Maryland consumers compare prices at local pharmacies so they can find the best possible prices for their medicines. The "Drug Price Finder" ( has found that prices can often vary 30 percent or more for popular drugs used to treat high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and other common medical conditions.

By using the Maryland "Drug Price Finder" web site, I was able to find some significant price differences. For example, in the Glen Burnie area, the retail price for 200 mg. of the arthritis drug Celebrex ranged from as low as $180.47 at one pharmacy up to $292.28 at another. In the Columbia area, the price ranged from $180.47 to $227.30, and in the Owings Mills/Pikesville area the same drug ranged from $192.95 to $211.54. These significant price differences were at neighborhood pharmacies within blocks of each other.

The cost of implementing a nationwide web site to help consumers compare drug prices would be minimal. It would require no new or confusing forms and the pricing information needed for the database is already collected by most states.

This legislation would give consumers a new tool to help them comparison shop for their medications. Pharmacy prices for a particular drug can vary significantly and all consumers should have the opportunity to compare and decide. At the same time, it also would open the door for greater competition, ultimately leading to significant reductions in the price of medicines.

All Americans have been affected by the high cost of health care. In fact, today more than 40 million Americans lack health insurance. It’s time that we provide Americans with the tools they need to help reduce their health care expenses.

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