ATTORNEY GENERAL ROWE WILL FIGHT PhRMA OVER HEALTHY MAINE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM

July 3, 2001

JULY 3, 2001

CONTACT: Charles Dow, Director, Communications And Legislative Affairs 207-626-8577

In response to a suit filed by the trade group representing the nation's pharmaceutical companies in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Attorney General Steven Rowe said, "We are not surprised by PhRMA's filing this case. We fully expected this lawsuit."

"We will vigorously fight to preserve the Healthy Maine Prescription Program that is already providing prescription drug discounts for over 50,000 Mainers," Rowe said.

About 225,000 Maine people are eligible for the program, and enrollment began just a few weeks ago.