Virginia Senate Advances Prescription Drug Affordability Board Legislation

The bill aims to lower drug costs and improve healthcare affordability in the state.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:23pm

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The Affordable Medicine Act, which would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the authority to set upper payment limits on high-cost medications, advanced out of the Virginia Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on a 10-4 vote. The bill builds on state policies and the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and is intended to lower prescription drug prices and improve healthcare affordability.

Why it matters

Prescription drug costs have been a major burden for many Virginians, with some unable to afford necessary medications. This legislation seeks to address this issue by empowering an independent board of experts to regulate drug prices and ensure savings are passed on to consumers.

The details

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board would be composed of health and medical experts appointed by the governor, House, and Senate. The board would initially adopt payment caps tied to Medicare-negotiated prices for 25 drugs, with 10 taking effect in 2027 and 15 more in 2028. The bill includes targeted exemptions for certain rare disease drugs and plasma-based treatments, while expanding protections and representation for rare disease patients. It also requires any savings from payment caps to be passed on to consumers and tightens conflict-of-interest rules for board members.

  • The board must be appointed by October 1, 2026.
  • The first 10 drug payment caps will take effect in 2027.
  • An additional 15 drug payment caps will take effect in 2028.

The players

Sen. Creigh Deeds

The Democratic senator from Charlottesville who sponsored the Affordable Medicine Act.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger

The current governor of Virginia whose office did not respond to a request for comment on the legislation.

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What they’re saying

“The board would be an independent body of health and medical experts appointed by the governor, the House and the Senate. It would use proven database strategies already working in other states and at the federal level to lower prescription drug prices.”

— Sen. Creigh Deeds, Bill Sponsor

“The board would set an upper payer payment limit that applies to the entire supply chain.”

— Sen. Creigh Deeds, Bill Sponsor

What’s next

The legislation will now be taken up in the Virginia Senate Finance Committee.

The takeaway

This bill represents a significant step forward in addressing the high cost of prescription drugs in Virginia, which has been a major burden for many residents. If passed, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board could help make vital medications more accessible and affordable for Virginians.