Colorado is the first state trying to cap prescription drug costs. But a new law could reel that back.

DENVER — In a first-in-the-nation step, a Colorado board is considering setting a maximum cost for an “unaffordable” medication. But some lawmakers are trying to reel back the board’s power.

Colorado created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board three years ago to review prescription drug prices and determine whether certain drugs are “unaffordable for Colorado consumers.”

The board has the power to set price ceilings to limit costs.

Last month, the board decided for the first time to consider a price cap. It identified the immune disorder drug Enbrel as “unaffordable.”

Over the next six months, the board will do more research and listen to public feedback before deciding whether or not to set an “upper payment limit” for the drug.

“This is truly a groundbreaking process,” said Priya Telang, who works with the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, which advocates on behalf of patients.

She said cutting prescription costs would help lower healthcare costs more broadly.

“Every Coloradan has a stake in prescription drug affordability, whether they take a prescription drug or not, just because it does impact their health care costs overall,” Telang said.

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