State drug board offers local savings option; county schools and agencies eligible

Representatives of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board and the Maryland Healthcare for All Coalition briefed the Anne Arundel County Council on March 10 about the boards authority to set upper payment limits that reduce costs for state and local governments and, after an initial period, for all Maryland residents.

Vinnie DeMarco, president of the Maryland Healthcare for All Coalition, said the boards authority (established in state law) allows it to set payment limits for high-cost drugs used by state and local employers. "Starting January 1, 2027, Coloradoans will spend $32 million less per year on [one drug] after that state's board set an upper payment limit," DeMarco said, urging the council to coordinate with the state board and the county HR team.

Dr. Andrew York, executive director of Marylands board, said the agency was finishing reviews on six drugs for upper payment limits and that the board is prioritizing medicines that put the largest strain on employer and public budgets. He listed examples under active review including GLP-1 class diabetes/weight-loss drugs (e.g., semaglutide/Ozempic) and some biologic autoimmune medicines (e.g., dupilumab).

Why it matters: county and school system prescription costs can be significant line items in employer-sponsored health plans; setting upper payment limits at the state level can directly lower the countys drug expenditures and reduce employee out-of-pocket costs once limits are applied more broadly.

Next steps: board staff said they will work directly with the countys HR and benefits teams on immediate employer-level plans and offered to brief the public and staff on the boards process and targets.

Sources: Vinnie DeMarco and Dr. Andrew York (Anne Arundel County Council work session, March 10, 2026).