MYTH

Maryland’s PDAB will improve patient access to prescription medications. 

FACT

Government-imposed price controls risk limiting the market viability of medications and could limit investment in new drug research and commercialization. Maryland should be encouraging investment, not potentially limiting it.

MYTH

Maryland is simply doing what other states are doing to improve patient access to prescriptions. 

FACT

Many of the states that created PDABs have either abolished them, experienced bureaucratic delays, or seen the PDABs’ work halted by the judicial system. For example, New Hampshire dissolved its PDAB in 2025, prompting Epilepsy patient advocates to write that, “Drug pricing reform should be about patients and not politics. New Hampshire got it right. Other states should follow their lead.” 

MYTH

The PDAB is addressing all of the factors affecting patient out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications. 

FACT

Maryland’s PDAB has failed to act on many of the drivers impacting patient out-of-pocket costs. The PDAB has not proposed solutions to the role Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play in prescription medications. PBMs and insurance carrier rules that shift costs to consumers play a significant role in inflating patients’ out-of-pocket costs, but the PDAB has not acted on these factors. 

Maryland can improve patient affordability without harming our life sciences workforce, or patient access, by considering all factors contributing to out-of-pocket costs. For example, Maryland’s Share the Savings Act would require insurance carriers and PBMs to share up to 85% of drug rebate savings with patients. The General Assembly should consider this legislation and bear in mind a simple question: Why not let patients benefit?

MYTH

Maryland’s PDAB poses no risk to the state’s life sciences ecosystem. 

FACT

Maryland’s life sciences business formation has lagged the national average and has failed to keep pace with neighboring states since 2019. In 2025, American pharmaceutical leaders announced a record $370 billion in manufacturing investments across the U.S. Maryland received 0.54% of that investment. Neighboring Virginia captured 550 percent more life sciences investment than Maryland. 

Maryland has the talent and assets to remain a global life sciences leader, but it needs policies that will protect and expand the innovation ecosystem.