Drug companies who’ve spent millions of dollars fighting a November ballot issue have made it the most expensive in Ohio history.
Campaign finance reports released on Thursday show drug companies opposed to Issue 2, also known as the Drug Price Relief Act, have raised $58 million.
The previous record of $47.1 million was set in 2009 when an issue to legalize casinos appeared on the statewide ballot.
Issue 2 would require state agencies like Medicaid to pay no more than what the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for prescription drugs. The VA gets a 24 percent discount.
The latest campaign finance reports continued the trend of drug companies far outspending supporters of Issue 2, who reported raising $14.2 million.
Voters have for months expressed confusion over Issue 2, which has been the subject of a barrage of warring television ads this year.
The Ohio Office of Budget and Management's required analysis of Issue 2 said it was unclear if the issue would save the state any money.
