The California secretary of state's office announced Thursday evening that proponents of the California Drug Price Relief Act had turned in more than enough valid voter signatures to make next fall’s ballot, based on a random sample of the nearly 543,000 signatures proponents submitted this summer.
The measure would tie state drug purchases to prices paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Proponents say that would mean big reductions in what the state spends to buy drugs for its prison system and other programs.
Supporters have noted the profits of the pharmaceutical industry and, signaling a potential campaign theme, highlighted this week’s arrest of pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli on securities fraud charges.
