Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

​

• ​The board conducts affordability reviews under ORS 646A.694 on prescription drugs and insulin products based on criteria in OAR 925.200.0010 and OAR 925.200.0020. The board identifies nine drugs and at least one insulin product that it determines may create affordability challenges for health care systems or high out-of-pocket costs for Oregonians. The board presents the list to the Oregon Legislature each year. Learn more on the PDAB affordability review page and the prescription drug data page.
  ​​​​​
  
• ​The board prepared a report for establishing upper payment limits on drugs sold in this state that are subject to affordability reviews under ORS 646A.694. Find the report, public comment letters, videos of constituent focus groups and the consumer outreach report on the UPL page. The board direction for the UPL study is outlined in ORS 646A.685. The Oregon Legislature asked the board to study UPLs in 2023 through Senate Bill 192.
  ​
  
• ​The board provides reports and policy recommendations for the Oregon Legislature about ways to make prescription drugs more affordable. Read the 2024 annual report, the 2024 generic drug report, and all other reports on the PDAB Legislative reports page.
  ​
  
• The board approved policies to guide its work when it was first established in June 2022. Each year, the board reviews the policies for possible amendments. The board may adopt rules in accordance with applicable provisions under ORS Chapter 183. Find all the policies and rules on the PDAB policies and rulemaking page. Additional information on the rules advisory committee schedules are posted on the PDAB RAC webpage.
  ​
  
• The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is established in the Department of Consumer and Business Services under ORS 646A.693 to protect residents of Oregon, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in Oregon and others within the health care system in this state from the high costs of prescription drugs. The Oregon Legislature created the board through Senate Bill 844 (2021)​.
  

• ​​Board meetings are virtual and take place on Wednesdays using Zoom for Government. View the board meeting schedule here. Register in advance for board meetings by clicking on the registration link next to each board meeting date. Meetings notices and other information will be posted on this web page and emailed out twice a month, two weeks and one week before the meeting. To receive notice of the board meetings, sign up here.
  
  
• Meeting videos are posted on the board calendar page ​soon after each meeting. Meeting minutes are posted online after board approval. ​

• Yes, you should receive an email from Zoom to confirm registration. If you have not received a confirmation email, try again to register by clicking on the Zoom registration link on the board calendar page. If you still have not received confirmation, email us so we can help resolve the issue, pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov.​

There are three ways to communicate with the board.
 
Oral testimony
For oral comments, please submit the PDAB public comment form no later than 24 hours before the PDAB meeting. The form is located on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board public comment page.

General written testimony
For written comments, please submit the PDAB public comment form with attachments no later than 72 hours before the PDAB meeting. The form is located on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board public comment page. Written comments will be posted to the PDAB website.

Public comment for drug affordability review
For written comments specific to drugs under review by the board, please submit the PDAB public comment form with attachments by the deadlines that will be posted on the affordability review page. For oral testimony about drugs under review by the board, please submit the PDAB public comment form no later than 24 hours before the PDAB meeting. The form is located on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board public comment page. Written comments received by the deadline will be included in the board meeting materials and posted to the web.​

If you have trouble using the public comment form, send an email to PDAB@DCBS.oregon.gov​.

• ​​​General public comments submitted to the board can be about a variety of topics. The deadline for written comments is 72 hours before the meeting. The deadline for oral comments is 24 hours before the meeting. ​
  ​
  
• Comments submitted for the affordability review are specific to prescription drugs under review by the board and have different deadlines. The 2025 deadlines for affordability review comments will be posted on the PDAB affordability review page.  

• Sign up here to receive notices of meetings and activities involving the board.​
  ​
  
• Participate in the public comment process by writing and submitting a letter to the board or signing up to speak during a board meeting. For questions about getting involved on a rulemaking advisory committee (RAC), send an email to PDAB@DCBS.oregon.gov. 

​​Board policies, administrative rules and statutes are located on the policies and rulemaking page of the website.​​