14 May 2016 - Vermont is poised to become the first US state requiring drug companies to explain their price increases.

Bob and Deborah Messing think that's a good idea. The Messings live in Montpelier and are in their early 70s. She's on Orencia, a Bristol-Myers Squibb product, for rheumatoid arthritis. He recently finished a course of Harvoni, made by Gilead Sciences Inc., to treat hepatitis C.

Both drugs are expensive, though for people of the Messings' modest income, big manufacturers' discounts and state assistance make their costs manageable. Harvoni lists at $1,125 per pill, or $94,500 for a 12-week course of treatment. Orencia's list price tops $3,000 a month.

The Messings say they're mystified by the high prices and worried about what would happen if either the discounts or state assistance disappeared.

"Then you're faced with these wildly expensive costs," Deborah Messing said.

For more details, go to: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29893083/vermont-become-first-state-require-drug-makers-explain