The following is a statement from Governor Mark Dayton, in response to reports that the
bipartisan “Penny A Pill” proposal has been dropped from consideration by the Minnesota House of Representatives.
“I am very disappointed that some Republican legislators continue to protect the large pharmaceutical companies from contributing to Minnesota’s fight against the opioid epidemic. Shifting this financial responsibility onto Minnesota taxpayers is unfair. It will not assure the revenues we need to properly fund the prevention, treatment, and recovery measures needed to save lives. And it will do little to deter the overprescribing of opioids in our communities.
“My Administration will continue pressing the Legislature this session to enact ‘Penny A Pill’ legislation that will properly require those large pharmaceutical companies to contribute a small amount of their enormous profits to address this crisis in our state.
“If Republicans in Kentucky could impose a 25-cent tax for every dose of opioids sold in their state to balance their budget, Republicans in Minnesota can surely muster the political courage to collect 1-cent per opioid pill from big pharma, and then dedicate those revenues to saving lives in our communities.” 