Before price gouging law takes effect, advocates hunt for evidence to enforce it

Months before it takes effect, advocates are collecting ammunition to enforce Maryland’s new law against prescription drug price gouging.

The Maryland Citizens Health Initiative launched a website Sunday to collect examples of price increases that could potentially be used to build future cases against drug companies after the law takes effect in October.

This year, Maryland became the first state in the country to make certain types of drug price gouging illegal. Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, who backed the law, will have authority to take drug firms to court if they break the new law.

Vincent DeMarco, president of the health initiative that pushed for the measure, said the law only applies to off-brand medications and not all price increases are considered excessive. But he hopes the state’s provision could be a model for others and pressure drug companies to avoid unnecessary increases.