Supporters seek second look at Ohio drug price ruling

COLUMBUS (AP) — Backers of a proposal aimed at controlling prescription drug prices are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reconsider requiring their issue to be re-submitted to the Legislature after adequate signatures are collected.

Supporters of the Drug Price Relief Act, who include the California-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, say the requirement imposed in a Monday ruling would be unconstitutional and result in “extreme prejudice.” Their proposal aims to keep state entities from buying drugs at prices higher than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays.

They asked today for the issue to bypass lawmakers and go straight back to voters once enough names are collected.

Justices ruled election officials erroneously counted 10,303 signatures submitted last year, leaving backers short by 5,044 valid signatures. Backers have until Aug. 25 to resubmit new signatures.