San Francisco voters Tuesday approved Proposition D, which could help make prescription drugs more affordable to city residents.
Prop. D, according to ballot language, urges city lawmakers to “use all available opportunities to reduce the City’s cost of prescription drugs.” In addition, it urges state and federal representatives to sponsor legislation “to reduce drug prices paid by the government.”
The impact could be particularly positive for vulnerable populations who are taking lifesaving medications.
Prop. D is nonbinding, leaving it open to interpretation how policymakers move forward with any legislation for implementation. At the very least, it sets policy about how The City could work to reduce prescription drug prices.
San Francisco spends more than $23 million a year on prescription drugs in hospitals, jails and health centers. Some of these drugs are needed by residents to treat illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes and heart conditions.
