Why doctor and hospital groups are fighting a measure to rein in drug costs

CLEVELAND — In recent years, doctors nationwide have lamented ever-rising drug prices that are limiting patient access to crucial medicines and undermining hospital finances.

But a ballot initiative in Ohio is flipping that script. Several prominent physician and hospital groups are joining pharmaceutical companies to oppose a proposal to rein in drug costs paid by state agencies.

Their reasoning? Drug makers, wholesalers, and pharmacies will actually raise prices on most Ohioans if the state takes a mandatory discount.

The measure, which will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, is a rehash of an unsuccessful ballot initiative in California to require the state to pay no more for drugs than the discounted rate paid by the federal Veterans Affairs.

Some doctor groups