Some state lawmakers are pushing back on rising drug costs..

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined medical leaders at SUNY Upstate on Friday to share a new bill she hopes will pass by the end of the year.

It includes fighting price spikes, buying cheaper drugs from Canada, and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices.

Gillibrand says during the pandemic, drug companies raised prices on major medications for seniors by 5% on average.

"Prescription drug prices are higher than they've ever, and most seniors rely on prescription drug prices,” Gillibrand said. “Unfortunately, many of them have to choose between taking their medicine and buying food and a lot of people are wondering if they have to ration their medicine."

“The cost of prescription and maintenance medications can be crippling for families and I’m grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership to lower drug costs in Central New York and across the country," State Senator John W. Mannion said in a statement. "It is unconscionable for anyone to be forced to choose between paying for needed medicine or paying their bills.  I am confident that Senator Gillibrand’s legislation will lead to more affordable health care, more access to medications, and better health outcomes for patients.”

Gillibrand says the changes could help people save a total of $450 billion over 10 years, which could be put back into access for health care.