Ballot Initiative That Sought To Lower Prescription Drug Prices Fails

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — California voters have rejected a ballot measure seeking to curb prescription drug prices paid by the state for millions of retirees, prisoners and poor people.

Opponents to Proposition 61 garnered 54 percent of the 8.5 million votes counted Wednesday.

The measure would have required the state to pay the same prices for prescription drugs as the Department of Veterans Affair, which typically gets deep discounts for its purchases.

The pharmaceutical industry spent more than $109 million to oppose the measure, saying it would reduce access to medicines and raise prices for veterans and others.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned for the proposition in Los Angeles earlier this week.

Supporters said the measure would save the state billions and could force the industry to reduce prices elsewhere.

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