Drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them. Big pharmaceutical corporations have raised prices so high that millions of Americans can’t access the affordable medicines needed to treat illnesses, manage their health, and take care of their families. In New Jersey, 1 in 4 adults don’t fill a prescription or skip doses of prescribed drugs because of cost.
NJ for Affordable Drugs
Our state is working to help with that. The New Jersey Prescription Drug Affordability Council, or PDAC, was formed to protect residents from high prescription drug costs. This independent council of policy and industry experts is tasked with getting to the bottom of why our prescription medications cost so much and make recommendations to our policymakers and elected officials that will help lower these costs for everyone.
PDAC meets monthly—in Zoom meetings that are open to the public and have a public comment section. New Jersey was the 8th state to establish this institution; Colorado and Maryland first adopted it and are about to implement some exciting new measures to lower drug costs in their states. In 2026, PDAC will share its first report on how New Jersey should move forward on drug costs.
There are seven states that have established Prescription Drug Affordability Boards across the country and many more are in the process of passing similar legislation. This map shows the status of PDAB efforts across our nation.
Get Involved with PDAC
To learn more about PDAC in general, visit the state link.
Talk to PDAC directly: PDAC meetings are open to the public. You can attend the monthly Zoom meeting and there is an opportunity for the public to speak up. For PDAC’s public meeting times, meeting agendas and minutes.
The NJ For Affordable Drugs campaign partners regularly attends PDAC meetings. We need YOUR input on how prescription drugs costs affect you, your family, and your community to better inform both PDAC and our policymakers. If you’re struggling with drug costs, or face other challenges involving drug costs, contact us.
Informative Videos
State Reform
On July 10, 2023, former Governor Murphy signed S1615 into law as part of his overall prescription drug affordability package. See below for press coverage of the bill signing.
National Reform
We support all efforts to lower the price of drugs for everyone. We are working to support and defend Medicare Price Negotiations and other reforms.
Colorado
October 3, 2025 – The Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) voted unanimously to implement an Upper Payment Limit (UPL) on Enbrel, a vital but notoriously unaffordable autoimmune medication. [1, 2]
By capping the price at $600 per unit, the board aligns state pricing with federal Medicare negotiation standards. This cap effectively slashes the average annual cost of the drug by nearly $23,000 per patient. [1]
Colorado UPL from Oct. 2025 – Consumer advocates praise Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s decision to set first-in-nation Upper Payment Limit on the expensive drug Enbrel – Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
Maryland
April 13, 2026 – Maryland has become the second state to impose a hard price cap on a high-cost medication, setting a $204 per 30-day supply limit on the diabetes drug Jardiance for state and local government plans starting in 2027. This move by the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board represents a significant victory for healthcare advocates aiming to use state-level regulation to counter high pharmaceutical costs. [1]
May 26, 2026 – The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board has approved a price cap of $274 for a 30-day supply of Ozempic for state and local government plans, targeting corporate price-gouging and saving an estimated $5.8 million annually. This action sets a precedent for expanding coverage to commercial plans by 2028, signaling a major victory for advocates fighting for lower drug costs.
- Board votes to cap how much state, local governments spend on Ozempic – Maryland Matters
- Maryland Drug Affordability Board puts payment limits on Ozempic | WYPR
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