STAT+: Legislatures in Colorado and Virginia resist moves to constrain drug affordability boards

STAT PlusPharmalot Legislatures in Colorado and Virginia resist moves to constrain drug affordability boards At issue is how much authority panels should have to rein in the prices of medicines Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanApril 23, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Legislators in two states have resisted efforts to restrict prescription drug affordability boards, the controversial panels that are designed to function as rate-setting authorities and place limits on the cost of prescription medicines. In Virginia, the General Assembly unanimously rejected a move by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to delay a key provision of two bills that would create a board and allow it to place price caps that mirror the negotiated prices paid by Medicare. Spanberger must now either accept or veto the legislation as originally intended.Advertisement In Colorado, the House Health and Human Services Committee postponed consideration of a bill that would exempt orphan drugs, which are used to treat rare diseases, from pricing caps that might be pursued by the state board. By delaying action until the end of the legislative session, the bill is effectively dead. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, drug pricing, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter From the lab to the medicine chest, these are the must-read drug industry updates of the day Recommended Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Trump deal with Regeneron, reclassifying medical marijuana, and more Advertisement Pharmalot April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about cheap telehealth visits, pharma withholding meds in Europe, and more Pharmalot April 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare’s obesity drug pilot, an experimental Roche MS drug, and more Pharmalot April 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Purdue Pharma settlement, a setback for Merck and Eisai, and more Subscriber Picks