STAT+: Virginia governor vetoes legislation to create an advisory panel to lower the cost of prescription drugs

STAT PlusPharmalot Virginia governor vetoes legislation to create an advisory panel to lower the cost of prescription drugs Unlike such boards in other states, the Virginia panel would have used Medicare as a benchmark Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 19, 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. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed closely watched legislation to create an advisory panel to lower prescription drug costs, a setback to attempts by lawmakers across the United States to address the rising cost of medicines. Unlike affordability boards in other states, the Virginia panel would have used Medicare as a benchmark. Rather than start from scratch to identify drugs considered expensive, each year the panel would have targeted the same drugs chosen by Medicare for price negotiations. The board would have also set upper payment limits to create a ceiling on what would be paid.Advertisement By doing so, Virginia would have leapfrogged plans by other states that are at varying stages of establishing affordability boards. Of the other nine states that have boards, none is eyeing all of the same drugs chosen annually by Medicare and only four have the authority to set upper payment limits. 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 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 May 19, 2026 STAT Plus: Canadian medical societies lack sufficient conflict-of-interest policies, study finds May 19, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Supreme Court setback for pharma, TrumpRx expands and much more Advertisement Pharmalot May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Maryland state affordability board places a price cap on Ozempic Pharmalot May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. biotech’s China problem, a Regeneron flop, and much more Pharmalot May 17, 2026 STAT Plus: U.K. advocacy groups threaten court action over a key provision in the pharma trade deal with the U.S. Subscriber Picks