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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

​The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) in 2021 to protect Oregonians and the Oregon health care system from the high costs of prescription drugs. The board held its first meeting in June 2022 and continues to hold monthly online meetings that are open to the public.​​

​​​​The board reviews prescription drugs with high costs to the Oregon health care system and Oregon patients. They analyze data and consider public comments to determine drugs that may create affordability challenges. The board presents an annual report to the Oregon Legislature with policy recommendations to make prescription drugs more affordable.​​

​​​​​​Oregon PDAB conducts drug reviews each year. The board reviews and identifies up to nine prescription drugs that may create affordability challenges for Oregonians and the health care system. 

The PDAB drug review process includes selecting a subset list of drugs from the longer list of drugs reported to the Drug Price Transparency Program, collecting information from constituents about affordability of the drugs, analyzing data reported by health insurance plans in Oregon and the state All Payer All Claims (APAC) Reporting Program, reviewing drug reports from PDAB staff, and selecting a final list of drugs. 

The board presents its findings and policy recommendations to the Oregon Legislature in December.

The cycle starts over in the fall with the board selecting a subset list of drugs to prepare for the next year's review.

The board conducted its first review cycle in 2025 and identified four drugs that may create affordability challenges for the health care systems or high patient out-of-pocket costs: Vraylar; Cosentyx; Trulicity; and Lantus SoloStar.

Here are the administrative rules that guide the board in its drug reviews.

Here are the Oregon Revised Statutes that authorize the board to conduct annual drug reviews.

The board's mission is to protect Oregonians from the financial burden of high-cost medications.

Oregon Revised Statutes describe the board mission like this: "The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is established in the Department of Consumer and Business Services to protect residents of this state, state and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in this state and other stakeholders within the health care system in this state from the high costs of prescription drugs." ORS 646A.693​

The board has eight members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, with backgrounds in clinical medicine or health care economics. View the board member bios here. If you would like to learn more about serving on the board, visit the Oregon Boards and Commissions web page.​

Board members and the PDAB executive director are available to discuss PDAB and its work at community events. If you would like to schedule a board member to speak to your group or at an event, please send an email to pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov.​

The board seeks public input in its decision-making in these ways:

  • Sharing online feedback forms about the drugs under review with patients, medical professionals, clinics, manufacturers, and other Oregonians.
  • Hosting online community forums and inviting people to share their stories about the impact of high drug costs on their lives and budgets.
  • Inviting people or groups to write letters or speak during board meetings.
  • ​Making board members and the executive director available to speak at community events upon request.​

The board is developing a feedback form on the PDAB website for patients, caregivers, and others to express their concerns about prescription drug costs. You can also write letters or sign up to speak during board meetings. ​​

Board meetings are open to the public, held virtually on Zoom for Government, and take place on the third Wednesday of the month. View the board meeting schedule here. Register in advance for board meetings by clicking on the registration link next to the board meeting date. You should receive an email from Zoom to confirm registration. If not, email us so we can help resolve the issue, pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov.

Meetings notices and agendas are posted on PDAB board calendar page and emailed out two weeks before the meeting. Meeting materials are posted on the calendar page 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 on the board calendar page after board approval. ​


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General: General public comments to the board can be about a variety of topics. The deadline for written comments (letters) is 48 hours before the meeting. The deadline for oral comments is 24 hours before the meeting. 

Drug review: Comments for the drug affordability review are specific to prescription drugs under review by the board. The deadline for drug review written comments (letters) is 48 hours before the meeting. The deadline for oral comments is 24 hours before the meeting. Additionally, drug specific comments will be included in the drug review reports if submitted before the final report version is posted to the PDAB website.

General and drug review: All letters received later than the 48-hour window will be reviewed by board members the following month.

For all public comment requests, please submit a public comment form and attach any letters using the attachment upload tool at the bottom of the form. Staff will acknowledge receipt of your letter. If you don't hear from staff, send an email to pdab@dcbs.oregon.gov.
 
All public comment letters are posted to the PDAB website.

 
Click here to submit a public comment.​

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Sign up to speak to the board during the public comment portion of the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes per person. You may also submit a letter or other material to the board. Here are the details:

Oral comments
For oral comments, please sign up using the PDAB public comment form no later than 24 hours before the PDAB meeting. Late signups will be invited to speak at the following meeting. Click here for a guide about communicating with the board.

General written comments
For written comments, please submit the PDAB public comment form with the letter no later than 48 hours before the PDAB meeting. Letters received after the timeframe will be considered at the following meeting.

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 the letter no later than 48 hours before the PDAB meeting. 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. Additionally,  drug specific comments will be included in the drug review reports if submitted before the final report version is posted to the PDAB website.

All public comment letters are posted to the PDAB website.

 Click here to submit a public comment.

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

Here are resources about Oregon's prescription drug discount card, filing complaints about Medicare or commercial insurance plans, or seeking financial assistance for medical insurance. These resources are also available in a document for downloading.

High prescription drug costs in Oregon

The State of Oregon offers the ArrayRx Discount Card, a digital card to help Oregonians save on medications. There is no membership fee and no age or income restrictions. Enroll in the program on the website. All FDA-approved prescriptions are eligible for discounts. You can use the discount card instead of insurance or Medicare if your insurance does not cover a medication. Click here to find information about the ArrayRx Discount Card.

Medicare concerns

SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) is a statewide network of trained counselors who volunteer their time to educate and advocate for people of all ages who have Medicare. The program is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. SHIBA offers Medicare information and counseling as a free public service. Click here to access the SHIBA web page.

Oregon Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan concerns

Oregon Health Plan members who have a concern about services covered by their coordinated care organization can contact Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Oregon Health Plan members can send complaints to OHA by email or request a hearing with OHA about coverage of services. Find the email address, phone number, and other information on this website. Click here to access the Oregon Health Authority website for complaints.

Commercial health insurance coverage concerns

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation advocacy team helps Oregonians who have a complaint about a company or individual in the insurance industry. Find the email address, consumer hotline phone number, complaint forms, and other information on this website.  Click here to access the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation website for insurance help.https://dfr.oregon.gov/help/complaints-licenses/Pages/file-complaint.aspx

Find help to get health insurance

Most Oregonians buying insurance on their own qualify for financial help if they enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. You can find more information about insurance costs and health coverage experts to help you get covered on this website. Click here to find information about the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace.​

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Documents created before April 27, 2027 may be archived on the PDAB website to conform with the rule on digital accessibility under Americans with Disabilities Act. Documents in archived folders have been:

  • Created before April 27, 2027 or reproduces the contents of other physical media created before that date.
  • Retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping.
  • Not altered or updated after the date of archiving.
  • Organized and stored in a dedicated area or areas clearly identified as being archived.​​