HR1018 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1018 LRB099 17084 GRL 41442 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that 7 of every 10 Americans currently take at least one prescription medication; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a population of approximately 12.8 million, which equates to nearly 9 million Illinois citizens taking prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS, The number of people who take prescription drugs has risen by 5% in recent years; and

WHEREAS, According to Express Scripts, average prices for brand name prescription drugs have risen 128% in recent years; and

WHEREAS, The only 2 countries in the world that allow for direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs are the United States and New Zealand; and

WHEREAS, A recent study found that drug makers have spent $4.5 billion in the last 2 years on advertising prescription drugs, representing a 30% increase in marketing; and

WHEREAS, There is anecdotal evidence that increased marketing of brand name prescription drugs results in patients requesting expensive and unnecessary prescriptions, leading to increased health-care costs; and

WHEREAS, At a recent meeting, the American Medical Association adopted a policy seeking to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs given its concern with proliferation of expensive treatments and escalating drug prices; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Congress to adopt legislation banning direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the United States Food and Drug Administration to adopt appropriate rules and regulations banning direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the members of the Illinois congressional delegation, the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the American Medical Association.